PEAKS’ JUMP TO IT WITH AID FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN

Independent charity Whirlow Hall Farm Trust based at Whirlow Lane, S11, was only a bunny-hop away from finding a new ‘480 Club’ member recently, when Sheffield’s Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre, nestled between Sothall and Beighton, bit their carrot for help !

‘The 480 Club’ exists to create an association with 480 companies and individuals to donate £480 to sponsor 12 special needs children and their carers for a week’s residential at Whirlow Hall Farm. The partnership is to entice local special school’s that wouldn’t normally use the resource - perhaps due to logistics or funding issues. So in this manner, the corporate sponsorship helps to reach some of South Yorkshire’s most disadvantaged children, those with profound and multiple learning difficulties, challenging behaviour, autistic spectrum disorders and/or significant medical problems.

Norfolk Park Special School’s Bradley (left) and Luke with Whirlow Hall Farm Trust’s Educational Assistant, Mandy Stacey and Berty the 4 year old English Butterfly Rabbit (so called because of his nose markings)

On this occasion the chosen recipients were Norfolk Park Special School based at Park Grange Road whose’ Head Teacher, Glenys Croston said, “Whirlow Hall Farm is one of the most valuable resources in Sheffield and the feeling of independence the children get with a true holiday spirit and a bed of their own for a week is absolutely amazing.”

“As well as increasing the children’s awareness and understanding of farming, sustainability and the environment there is a general benefit which creates tolerance in a gentle and safe surrounding. Because Whirlow Hall Farm is a real working farm it offers children an extraordinary opportunity to experience country life and explore vital parts of the beautiful Sheffield countryside which they wouldn’t normally see – things we adults sometimes take for granted. These residential placements really do help improve communication skills and give a real sense of responsibility when contributing to society as a whole.”

She added, “It’s totally interactive and a fantastic opportunity for the children to live, work, play and learn together for a week. Grooming, feeding, cleaning and caring for the animals is no mean feat for these youngsters. It sounds simple but for some it will be the first time the children have ever touched or stroked a horse or small animals such as a rabbit or Guinea pig. More importantly they have been entrusted with its’ care and welfare. By the look on their faces I think it will be something that will live with them for the rest of their lives, what better testimony for Whirlow Hall Farm can you give?”

For further information, please call:
Darryl Dawson

t: 01302 759696 m: 07973 676942
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