The website for the Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy says it “provides a specialist service for families of young children with cerebral palsy and other motor learning difficulties.” But it does so much more than that as it provides support for 60 families around the Sussex area. The school takes children from the age of five months to five years and a highly skilled and professional team will help parents recognise a child’s unique qualities and achievements. It costs £575,000 per year to keep the school running.

Next Easter, 7th-26th April 2012, my father and I are trekking to Base Camp on Everest. I thought we could use this as a good opportunity to get sponsors for the Dame Vera Lynn Trust. My mum and dad have always encouraged me to do what I thought was right. So we are going to trek for 14 days plus 6 days to acclimatise (and shopping at the bazaars!). We will stay at local tea houses, which are sort of like a very basic B&B. I can’t wait. I understand why people like Malory found Everest so fascinating. It’s an adventure just to go there.

In October half-term I will be spending time at the school observing the children thanks to an invitation from my aunt Vanessa who is one of the professional team members. I’m very excited about the opportunity to learn more about this organisation.

Obviously I’m looking for sponsors for the trek up to Base Camp, so please give generously. Would anyone like to sponsor me to come down as well...!

Now you may wonder why I chose the Dame Vera Lynn Trust to sponsor. The truth is my aunt teaches some of the little ones there and I have been going to the summer fete there for as long as I can remember. I just think it’s the most amazing thing and the children at the fete aren’t sitting there feeling sorry for themselves; rather they are nagging their parents for an ice cream or chatting with their mates. When you see this it’s hard to believe, from looking at previous year books, that not all of the smiley kids in the pictures are still here with us today. Every child needs help, but these kids need more help than others just to be able to laugh and play.

during half term I will be helping out at the School so I'll update more then!

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