Heel and Toe Children’s Charity, founded by Shildon resident Paul Bannister, has successfully purchased a new centre and hope to open it in September after a £150,000 refurbishment.
Heel and Toe provide free therapy to children aged 0-19 who have Cerebral Palsy, and the new base will become a regional centre of excellence for the delivery of therapy for the North East. The charity was founded in 2008 and now delivers 12,000 hours of free therapy a year to over 100 children a week. This helps to change disabled children’s and their families’ lives and saves the NHS approximately £1.4 million a year.
To celebrate the new building purchase and refurbishment, Paul has set himself a challenge of donating £5,000 to the charity in 2014. He intends to cycle from the ‘Heel to Toe’ of Italy in June and then ascend Mount Ventoux three times in 12 hours in September. This is the famous peak called the ‘Beast of Provence’; a challenge achieved by less people than have climbed Mount Everest.
To help with the fundraising effort, Paul has organised an eclectic mix of events over the Easter period. There is an 80s night on Easter Sunday featuring the fantastic live band ‘Planet Earth’. This is followed by the great live band ‘Green Room’ at the Grey Horse on Saturday 26th April.
The culmination of the fundraising sees Miss Tess Tickle and the Dragettes return to the Civic after their sell-out Christmas shows, on Friday 2nd May. Tickets for the Planet Earth and Tess Tickle events are available from the Civic Hall, with tickets for both shows selling fast. The event at the Grey Horse is free.
“Please show your support for a great local charity,” said Paul.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
