Panto Stars bring festive cheer to local children

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Newcastle Theatre Royal pantomime stars Clive Webb and Danny Adams very kindly took time out of their busy schedules to present computer equipment to disabled children from across the region supported by Smile for Life.

They presented iPads to Ewan Barry, 12, from Jarrow and to Millie Gallagher, 8, from Sunniside. They also presented Michael Lynn, 12, from Monkseaton with a touchscreen computer monitor.

All three of the children will benefit hugely from the equipment. Millie is profoundly deaf and the iPad will help her to communicate with friends. Ewan has Friedrich’s Ataxia which makes it difficult for him to carry heavy books or laptops, or to write for long periods, so the iPad will make schoolwork much easier. Michael has Autism and the touchscreen monitor will help him work independently.

Clive and Danny also presented the three children and their families tickets to Sleeping Beauty.

The donations of equipment and tickets formed part of Smile for Life’s grant programme. They also kicked off our ‘Five Year Anniversary Appeal’. We are aiming to raise £250,000 over 2012 so we can assist 500 children in need of support this year.

Our work is entirely funded by the generosity of the public and any further support, in either donations or volunteering would be hugely appreciated.

If you’d like to find out more about the appeal please contact Smile for Life on 0191 284 4166, drop us a line on deborah@smileforlife.org.uk or even pop into our office on Ashburton Road.

 

Christmas Carol Singing

Following a wonderful festive evening of Carol singing by The Lemington Male Voice Choir on Thursday 22nd December, we are delighted to announce that the gentlemen raised a fantastic amount of £385 for Smile For Life – a great testament to the wonderful sounds of this highly acclaimed choir. Thank you so much to all of the gentlemen involved and of course to the shoppers of Eldon Square for their generosity.

City of Newcastle Golf Club Tees off to a Great Start!

City of Newcastle Golf Club Charity and Craft Evening

The members and staff of The City of Newcastle Golf Club have teed off their relationship with Smile for Life with a  fantastic donation of £1,516! As their charity of the year, Smile For Life, this week received the donation from captains Mary Burke and Bill Gibson. The money was raised from a Christmas Craft Fayre held by the club on the 1st December, which featured a host of craft and gift stalls along with a festive raffle. The Christmas Fayre was the first of many activities the club have planned across the year for Smile for Life.  Their next event is a Coffee Morning on Wednesday 8th February at the City of Newcastle Golf Club, starting at 10am. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to our charity.The funds raised by the club will help Smile for Life support even more disadvantaged and disabled children in the region this year, with activities, equipment and breaks that enrich and enhance their lives.

Thank you so much to  everyone involved for their wonderful commitment and support, it really will make a big difference to so many children during 2012!

Evening Chronicle Wish Campaign 2011

Following on from our success last year we would be delighted to receive your Wish Tokens for the 2011 campaign. Simply collect the tokens from you Evening Chronicle and send to us at Smile For Life. The more tokens we receive the bigger the share of the £50,000 pot we receive to directly benefit disabled and disadvantaged children across the North East. Thank you.

Evening Chronicle Wish campaign 2011

Tyne and Wear Fire-fighters bring smile to Percy Hedley student

Firefighters deliver laptop to Michael at Percy Hedley school

Percy Hedley student, Michael Bell, was caught by surprise in November with an unexpected visit from the Tyne and Wear Fire Service.

The fire-fighters were delivering a laptop to Michael, 16, as a result of a grant awarded by Smile for Life.

Michael, from Trimdon, County Durham, has complex special needs including cerebral palsy.  The grant from Smile for Life was provided for a laptop with special voice activated software to help Michael with homework.

Michael said:

“I’d like to say a big thank you to Smile for Life. I absolutely love my new laptop! I am going to use it to do my homework and other school work.  I use a special software package which allows me to speak to my laptop and the laptop types it up for me – hence the help with the homework, it’s brilliant.”

The funding for the laptop was possible because of the incredible fundraising efforts of the Tyne and Wear Fire Service.  They raised £4,570 by taking part in the gruelling Lanzarote Ironman 2011, organised by fire-fighter Keith Christie.

The fire-fighters delivered the laptop to Michael in class, much to the surprise of him and his class-mates.

Paula Gascoigne, Smile for Life’s Chief Executive said:

“We can’t thank the Tyne and Wear Fire Service enough for the incredible amount they have raised.  They really have made a big difference to Michael, and to all the other students they met at Percy Hedley today who enjoyed going in the engine, trying on the helmets and having a go on the sirens!”

Not just any bag pack but a M&S bag pack!

December 2011

Volunteers are needed for our annual bag pack at the Metrocentre M&S on Sunday 11th December.

This bagpack will be a Christmas themed one and fancy dress will help to encourage shoppers to support the children of the North East during the festive season.

If you can spare a couple of hours to help out, please get in touch for further details on info@smileforlife.org.uk