Sensory area for youngsters to be created at SNAPPY (From York Press)

Sensory area for youngsters to be created at SNAPPY

7:55am Wednesday 23rd December 2009 in

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A SENSORY area is to be created at a York charity that helps children with special needs, thanks to the fundraising efforts of staff at a local health care society.

Anne Stamp, project manager at SNAPPY, said the £1,151 raised by employees of Benenden Healthcare Society (BHS) would go towards creating a sensory corner, with light boxes and bubble machines.

She said: “We are absolutely delighted – what a Christmas present to get!

“It couldn’t have come at a better time because we are really struggling at the moment.

“This will be a quiet, calm place for children, when they are showing really challenging behaviour, or if they have a seizure.

“It will be a fantastic facility and we are extremely grateful to Benenden.”

BHS, which is based in Holgate, York, presented a cheque to SNAPPY at the charity’s Christmas party, as well as gifts such as educational toys, colouring books and crayons donated by staff at the healthcare society. Most of the money was raised earlier this month during York’s tenth Festival Of Angels, when BHS employees braved the cold to man a teddy bear hoopla stall.

Neil Barnes, of BHS, said: “We also invited staff in the office to help top up the fundraising and so they dug into their pockets to help drive up the total even further.”

SNAPPY, which is based at the Young Groves Centre, in Lowther Street, has been providing weekend and holiday activities for children with learning difficulties for 25 years.

But following a £28,000 funding cut last year, the charity desperately needs more cash to retain all the services it offers.

Neil said BHS had been inspired by Anne winning the Person Of The Year title at the York Community Pride Awards 2009, and that recognition led to the society thinking about how it could help make a difference to SNAPPY.

“Additionally, one of our staff members is a volunteer for the charity, and showed a great deal of enthusiasm in convincing us that SNAPPY would be so very grateful for our fundraising efforts and how much they would benefit from it,” he said.

How you can help SNAPPY

Join the SNAPPY squad and help out with fundraising events.

Email snappysquad@hotmail.co.uk

Donate online at justgiving.com/snappysquad

Local theatre groups, choirs and bands can dedicate a performance or concert to SNAPPY and have a collection on the night.

Local businesses can join the SNAPPY 100 club and pledge to give the charity £100 a year. Phone Anne on 01904 640562.