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FABULOUS FUNDRAISERS ROAR INTO ACTION AND KICK-START APPEAL TO HELP CAMERON

A fabulous Flowers and Fashions fundraising event at Staffordshire stately home Sandon Hall has kick-started an appeal to provide specialist equipment for a disabled 11-year-old in the county.

The event – ‘Follow Your Dream, A Tribute To Children’ – featured a demonstration of floral art by local expert Diana Scott, MBE, followed by a sale of fashion accessories. The fundraiser was organised by Stone Lions Club in aid of Cannock-based national children’s disability charity Newlife Foundation, which last year alone (2013/14) provided £106,624 of specialist equipment for children in Staffordshire.

The £1,977 raised by the event will help provide tailor made seating for 11-year-old Cameron Key from Stoke on Trent, to help protect his posture. Cameron has Epilepsy, Global Developmental Delay and severe learning difficulties. He is reliant on a wheelchair for his mobility and urgently needs specialist seating at home so he can relax in comfort.

The chair will cost £3,598, so the family turned to Newlife Foundation for help. Mum Jayne Key said: “Everyone needs somewhere comfortable to sit at the end of the day but at the moment Cameron has to stay in his wheelchair, which means he can’t relax properly. He had surgery on his hips shortly before Christmas, so it is important that while he is relaxing he is being properly supported to help prevent further problems. Unfortunately, when Cameron isn’t well the only place he can relax at home is in bed – which keeps him isolated from the rest of the family. Getting this specialist seating will mean he can play a greater part in everyday family life.”

Representing Stone Lions Club, Chris Handley – wife of Lions Clubs International District Governor Dave Handley – said: “The evening at Sandon Hall was a great success. My particular thanks go to the Dowager Countess of Harrowby for allowing us to use such a beautiful venue and Diana Scott, MBE, who supported us with a demonstration of flower arranging – not forgetting everyone who attended the event. I am delighted that the fruits of our fundraising evening will enable Cameron to spend more time with his family, and in comfort.”

Newlife still needs to find another £1,620 to fund the postural seating and is looking for ‘local heroes’ like the members of Stone Lions Club to help. Newlife CEO Sheila Brown, OBE, said: “Cameron urgently needs postural seating and this donation truly launches our appeal. The District’s Lions Clubs have been very supportive of Newlife and I cannot thank them enough for all their hard work.”

If you would like to raise money to help Cameron, the Newlife Community Fundraising Team can be contacted on freephone 0800 988 4640. Any individual or organisation thinking of running a fundraising event is asked to contact the team, who can offer support and guidance.

Any money raised surplus to requirements for Cameron will help to provide equipment for other disabled and terminally ill children in Staffordshire.

Pictured: Cameron Key

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