Band Performing at Music therapy charityDisability

Otakar Kraus Music Trust

August 27, 2019By

Music therapy helps children with additional needs

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £8,000 to The Otakar Kraus Music Trust (OKMT) enables seven pupils to attend OK Music School. Here qualified music therapists teach children and young people with physical, learning, mental or neurological disability or illness.

“We are delighted that the Axis Foundation has approved our application to enable seven pupils with disabilities to attend OK Music School for 36 weeks. This will make a huge difference to our music therapy work and allow more children to enjoy the benefits of learning and performing music. Music therapy helps children with disabilities when nothing else can reach them” – Valerie Roy, Fundraising Manager, OKMT

Whilst at the music therapy school, children interact and make friends, reducing isolation. They gain communication skills and become more confident. Improved listening skills and focus help their learning at school. And performing makes them feel happier, proud of their achievements and part of the community. Some children have passed Royal School of Music exams, and some have performed on national radio.

The children say:

  • ‘It makes me feel good about myself – I can do something well!’
  • “I love music because it gives me confidence and it takes me away from the pressures of real life. I make more friends here than anywhere else”

Parents say:

  • “OK Music School has been amazing helping my daughter to gain confidence and improve her memory and listening skills. She is able to verbalise that she is proud of herself.”
  • “E has blossomed, she had very low self-esteem when we started as she was unable to attend school due to her severe anxieties. It has been a Godsend for her mental health.”

OKMT Survey Results

OKMT asked parents what difference OK Music School was making to their child.  The top survey results were:

  • Increased their confidence and self-esteem 100%
  • Improved their concentration and ability to follow instructions 79%
  • Improved their mental well-being  74%
  • Improved their listening skills 68%

Second donation

The Axis Foundation Trustees additionally agreed a grant of £4,800 towards bursaries for 1-1 music therapy for children and young people  and £120 for a new Yamaha Portable Keyboard. Valerie thanked us saying: “We are delighted to get the funding and we will increase our budget for the coming year for bursaries to £6,000. This will help us reach children, young people and families who receive very little regular help.”

OK Music School Case Study

D is 8 and is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He struggles with interacting with people he doesn’t know and with some motor skills. He lacks concentration and has some language and communication difficulties. Therefore it is hard for him to take part in activities where he could enjoy time and space with his peers. D had received speech and language therapy and some music therapy.

But then his mother heard about OKMT through a London Autism group.

D started attending the OKMT Youth Choir, where he was silent for a few months until he finally joined in and started singing along. Then he joined OK Music school where he began to learn to play the piano. He thrived on the stable routine, and playing piano now provides him respite and happiness. His concentration and motor skills have improved, and he is now confident in a group of children and socially more aware of others. He took part in the Christmas concert in 2019 and played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano which gave him a great sense of achievement. His family were so proud and joyful to watch him playing in the concert in front of a big audience.

D said: “I feel happy and excited to attend my music lessons!”

Read more about this Twickenham-based charity here

 

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Axis foundation helps to fund specialist bathroom to young girlCare

Bathroom for Isabella

August 3, 2019By

Specialist bathroom for disabled child

Aged two months, Isabella was diagnosed with a serious birth defect – neuronal migration disorder – and epilepsy. Her parents, Nicola and Robert were of course devastated by this news. Now aged four, Isabella has very limited mobility and is confined to a wheelchair. She is unable to speak, and her family, including her young siblings, is on constant guard as the risk of seizure is never far away.

To give their daughter more freedom of movement, Nicola and Robert moved to a bungalow and adapted it – widening the doors for example – with the aid of a grant.

Installing a specialist bathroom for Isabella

Nicola and Robert desperately wanted to install a similar specialist bathroom at their home. Sadly, their local authority was only able to offer a shower: the costs of installation were well beyond Nicola and Robert’s budget.  At this point, the Axis Foundation stepped in, funding a specialist bath costing £10,000, paying for installation and materials, and turning a dream into a reality.

“We can’t believe it! Grateful doesn’t even cover it! You guys will never know how much this means to us! THANK YOU!” – Nicola and Robert, Isabella’s parents

Respite stays at Demelza Hospice for Sick Children provide comfort and practical support too – for all the family. Here Isabella benefits from using the sensory room while their specialist bathroom is both practical and safe for her and her carers. Demelza is the charity partner to the Axis Foundation and parent company Axis Europe plc.

The Axis Foundation has reached a milestone of 10 years of donations to small, local, impactful causes. #10YrsGiving

 

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Children in Scout Group walking down a pathCommunity

First Halesworth Scout Group

July 27, 2019By

Refurbishing Scout Hall for young Scouts

The 70 members of the Suffolk based First Halesworth Scout Group, children and young people aged 6-25, learn many life skills, an appreciation of nature and respect for the world around them.

The Axis Foundation donated £5,000 to help refurbish their Scout Hall. The improvements include replacing the corrugated flat roof – as the kitchen, toilet and kitchen areas are greatly damaged by leaks – fully refurbishing the toilet and cloakroom facilities and replacing rotting flooring.

“The refurbishment to our scout hut will benefit both existing members and future members, greatly improving the time spent in the HQ by members and leaders… The improvements may also enable us to let the hall to other organizations which would give us a small income” – Nigel Busby, Project Manager at First Halesworth Scout Group

More About First Halesworth Scout Group

First Halesworth Scout Group engages in activities including climbing, camping, first aid, Duke of Edinburgh’s awards, archery and air rifle shooting, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, hill walking, international travel, to name but a few. The Scout Group has 70 members in total, all of whom are young people from Halesworth and the surrounding villages.

Seventeen leaders and helpers lead and support the group and all its community activities – they are all volunteers. Some of the current leaders were members of the Scout Group when they were young.

In other news, the Axis Foundation is celebrating its 10th Birthday of donations this year. Share the good news #10YrsGiving

 

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Walsall Wood Colliers Under 12s Football TeamDonations

Walsall Wood Colliers U12s Football Team

April 30, 2019By

League-winning U12s Football Team receives a champion sum

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £370 will help towards buying the Walsall Wood Colliers U12s football team a brand new kit in their home colour, red, for next season. Here are the league winners in their away kit of blue and yellow.

I was absolutely delighted to receive the donation from Axis Foundation on behalf of Walsall Wood Colliers. This will help us kit out our team for next season. The coaches put in a lot of hours running a team and every bit of help is welcome as we rely on donations and sponsorship for all our kit and equipment which enable the kids to train and play” – Julian Worrall, Coach and Manager

More about Walsall Wood Colliers

Walsall Wood Colliers Under 12s is one of Walsall Wood FC’s many junior youth teams. The Colliers’ Manager and Coach is Julian Worrall who has been in this role for six years. Julian volunteers a large amount of his ‘spare’ time to coach and manage his junior youth team which numbers 18 in all.

“We are very focused on the community at Walsall Wood FC,” Julian says. “Our aim in the Junior Youth League is to encourage and develop children to play sport and to be part of a team. We get them off their computers and outside.”

As Julian’s son used to play for the Colliers too, he is in a good position to know the benefits of playing in a youth squad for young people. He says: “I like seeing how the children develop over the years. Some of them started in our Academy and have the opportunity to go right on through to the Senior team on their footballing journey. They are like an extended family.”

There are over 30 teams at Walsall Wood FC which is a registered charity and Chartered FA Club: from the Academy 5-7s to the Under 18s including girls teams and (soon) a team for people with disability. All the coaches/managers are FA licensed and all are volunteers.

 

 

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Care

HOPE

April 3, 2019By

Support for children with epilepsy and their families

The Axis Foundation’s £2,000 donation to HOPE will buy Anti-Suffocation Pillows for children with Epilepsy. Anti Suffocation Pillows help those lying face down with convulsive seizures to breathe more easily thereby helping to prevent brain damage and death.

“The HOPE Team are absolutely thrilled that the Axis Foundation has agreed to make a donation to help HOPE fund Anti Suffocation Pillows for children with Complex Epilepsy. From the bottom of my heart thank you to you all at the Axis Foundation for this generous donation! We can help so many children now with our Anti Suffocation Pillow Project. It’s truly amazing and We are over the moon. Once again, thank you Axis Foundation for assisting us carrying on our work”
Dr Nadine Gurr – Chair

“We are extremely grateful to the Axis Foundation for their kind donation to HOPE. Childhood epilepsy can be stressful for the whole family, particularly as many children with epilepsy also have additional needs. This generous donation will help us in our aim to support children with epilepsy and their families. It will be used to buy Anti-Suffocation Pillows, which families tell us can help to reduce their worries about their children sleeping in their own bedrooms at night”
Dr Sophie Bennett – Vice Chair

More About HOPE

At HOPE children with epilepsy can meet each other, have fun, learn to “enjoy life” and not feel so alone. Volunteers play with the children and their siblings and provide respite for the parents. HOPE encourages parents of children with epilepsy and carers to meet, relax over refreshments, share information and build relationships. This helps reduce stress and anxiety enabling them to be better emotionally equipped to support their child.

Overall, HOPE aims to promote awareness regarding the problems and circumstances of families living with epilepsy. The children who attend London-based HOPE suffer from complex epilepsy with different seizure types. Many have other conditions associated with complex epilepsy such as autism, developmental delay, ADHD and physical disabilities.

HOPE’s Anti Sudden Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) Project provides Anti Suffocation Pillows free of charge to any child living in the Greater London area who suffers from convulsive seizures

 

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Swimming lessons funding being given to young boyDonations

Support Tommy Brown Fund

March 29, 2019By

Providing swimming lessons for little Tommy

In March 2012 Tommy Brown contracted the ‘B strain’ of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia. The disease was so aggressive and extensive that he was given only a 5 per cent chance of survival. Despite this, he defied the odds and did survive; but his parents were given the devastating news that he was going have to lose all four of his limbs. In total, Tommy spent a total of three months in hospital undergoing surgery, including six weeks in the intensive care unit.

Julie Tuckley, Tommy’s mum said: “It makes me cry to see Tommy alert and looking about, then looking at where his hands and legs used to be, as if he is wondering where they are. It was so painful to see him suffer and go through the operations – we’re very lucky to still have our beautiful boy.”

Seven years later, Tommy is now a courageous young boy who adapts remarkably well to everyday life and the challenges thrown at him. He loves swimming; and has swimming lessons at local swimming baths. When he is swimming Tommy says he feels free.

Our donation of £1,600 is funding Tommy’s swimming lessons for a year.

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Help for children who have a disability affecting their movement control.Disability

The Movement Centre

March 25, 2019By

Help for children with disability affecting their movement control

The Movement Centre offers a specialist therapy, Targeted Training, which helps children who have a disability affecting their movement control.

The Axis Foundation’s donation of £3,000 will give children who come to The Movement Centre a personalised activity pack and enhance the sensory items at the Centre.

“We are extremely grateful to the Axis Foundation for their generous support of The Movement Centre. We provide a specialist therapy called Targeted Training to help children with movement disabilities to gain control of their movement, which means they can have far more independence. The grant will enable us to create activity packs and purchase sensory item so that we can enhance our therapy sessions. This will give the children who come to The Movement Centre an even better chance of reaching their full potential”  – Victoria Handbury-Madin, Chief Executive

More About The Movement Centre

Unique to The Movement Centre, Targeted Training combines a specialist standing frame and physiotherapy. The child remains in an upright position while the standing frame stabilises and supports him. Daily practise is essential so encouraging and engaging the child is an important part of Targeted Training.

A course of Targeted Training can help children: gain head control, so they can interact with their family; develop the skills to sit unaided, so that they can play with their friends and even learn to walk, so they can be far more independent. Goals are specific and measurable and detailed reports are written at each assessment and at the end of the course, where all outcome measures are reviewed. These are shared with the family and the child’s other clinicians.

Many of the children who come to the Shropshire-based Movement Centre have Cerebral Palsy or Global Developmental Delay, but Targeted Training therapy can also be suitable for children who have an acquired brain injury, Down Syndrome and other Genetic Disorders.

“Parents were very pleased with the support and treatment their children received at the centre and reported they were ‘amazed’ at the progress their children were making” – Care Quality Commission

Reports from parents of children who have a disability affecting their movement control

“We feel more confident that Eddie is ready for each new step! The regular follow ups are brilliant.”

“The Movement Centre team have given Henry the confidence and strength that he needs on his road to independence, we can’t thank you enough.”

“Absolutely amazing team, working wonders with our son Harry. Couldn’t be any more happy.”

“It’s been one of the best things we could have done for Rosa. Her life has changed for the better because of the treatment from The Movement Centre.”

“Everyone/all the family has benefitted greatly from Targeted Training and the help and the support we’ve received from TMC.”

“It’s given our son an amazing chance to work towards his independence.”

 

 

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News

Donation to Demelza – £70,000 – at our 2018 Golf Day

December 12, 2018By

We presented our donation to Demelza  – a cheque for £70,000 – at the second Alan Curbishley Celebrity Golf Day in May 2018.

John Hayes, Axis Europe’s CEO, presented the cheque to our charity partner saying: “Demelza has remained dear to the hearts of all Axis people for a long time and we shall continue to support this incredible charity in their work ‘adding life to days when days cannot be added to life.’ I know that I speak for everyone at Axis when I say how profoundly moved and delighted we are to have a charity partner which has such an impact on those lives it touches.

“I am delighted to present this donation to Demelza: a cheque for £70,000 from all of us at Axis, knowing that this donation will make a real difference in Demelza’s hands.”

Ryan Campbell CBE, Demelza Chief Executive,  said: “Axis Europe and the Axis Foundation have been fantastic to us with unwavering, constant support for the last 14 years, raising over £540,000. We are so proud to be one of Axis’s chosen charities.
We are overwhelmed every year by their kindness and generosity to the extremely ill children we support. We really couldn’t continue to provide our tailored, expert care to so many families without them.
“On behalf of these babies, children and teenagers and their families; our staff and our volunteers, thank you so so much for this Donation to Demelza 2018.”

Thanks to our generous guests and supporters, our second celebrity golf day raised £26,000 which will support Demelza and many small local and impactful causes via the Axis Foundation.

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Demelza Award for Arctic Challenge Extreme fundraising trekDemelza

Prize for Chilly Challengers!

November 23, 2018By

The Axis Arctic Challenge team wins coveted Demelza Business Prize for their extreme fundraising adventure on behalf of our charity partner

The Axis Arctic Challengers raised funds for Demelza Children’s Hospice by braving the cold, heat and dangers of the Arctic. They conquered Mount Kebna – dizzy heights indeed!

The challengers are Christopher Houlihan, Gary Perfect, Philip Twin John Bull and Daniel Blake. Through the hardships of snow, heat, dizzy fits, thirst and hunger, they said that what kept them going was remembering the children for whom Demelza cares.

This was reward in itself for the challengers. But they were delighted to learn that their supreme efforts scooped them Demelza’s Bespoke Fundraising Event of the Year Award – We were also nominated for the Silver Outstanding Corporate Supporter Award!

The judges said

Announcing our win, the judges said that our team “took on a tremendous challenge… They hit extreme and unexpected weather, even causing them hallucinations! But they battled through and completed their trek. Very worthy award winners.”

We said

Our Arctic Five said: “We are so pleased that Demelza gave us this award. We pushed ourselves to a place we did not know existed. We kept thinking about the kids at Demelza. We had a hard few days. Their entire life is hard. We got a real sense of achievement.”

Our Community Investment Coordinator Kellie Durey said: “We cannot thank Demelza enough for our nominations and the big win: it is lovely to see that our support is both appreciated and recognised.”

Congratulations to the Axis Arctic Challengers for their extreme fundraising efforts!

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Arden Forest football team players posing in their green and yellow football kit.Donations

Arden Forest FC

November 9, 2018By

Junior football club wears new kit with pride

Based in Solihull, West Midlands, Arden Forest FC is a junior football club that plays in the Central Warwickshire Youth League, challenging teams from Leamington and Warwick and the West Midlands area. The junior football club which was founded in 1981 and is run by volunteers, gives local boys and girls the chance to work together, encouraging team spirit, hard work and lots of goals!

Teams range from Under 7s to Under 15s: in 2017 the u14s won the Treble of the premier league and two cups! Such champions – local to our office in Oldbury – deserve good kit.

And so, the Axis Foundation is sponsoring branded tracksuits and kit bags for their Under 15s side with a grant of £1,000.

“I would like to thank the Axis Foundation for their generous donation to the u15s team. This will go towards buying the lads tracksuits and kit bags so they can turn up to games looking like the Premier League Champions that they are.

“This season has started just the same as last with the lads winning every game so far, so hopefully it will be another successful year. Hopefully they can win the treble again this season. From the manager, myself, the lads and the parents we would like to thank the Axis Foundation for the donation”- Dave Pearson, Team Coach

 

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