Work starts on independent living centre at Derby school
WORK has started at a Derby secondary school to build a training unit for blind and partially-sighted pupils.
Within weeks, the independent living unit at St Benedict Catholic School will be built and ready to be fitted out.
-
helping hands: From left, Vicky Ashton and Candy Sutton, from charity TREATS, Tori Yerbury from HSBC, ex-pupil Fraser McDermott, 18, Harry Smith from Armsons, Jenny Williamson, director of business development at St Benedict, and Richard Hicklin, of Wood Newton.
This is thanks to John Green, of Wood-Newton Limited, who supplied the building, worth about £70,000, free of charge.
The Sutton-in-Ashfield firm makes buildings out of sustainable materials such as wood that arrive prefabricated and are put in place within days.
Staff at the Catholic school, in Darley Abbey, had been aiming to raise £120,000 for building the unit and had accumulated about £42,000, which has now been set aside for fitting it out.
The school's enhanced resource department has been fund-raising since 2006, when teacher Maggie Gorman had the idea for a unit where young people could stay overnight to get used to independent living without going away to a specialist college.
Money is still being raised and a sell-out charity ball supported by bank HSBC is taking place on September 12.
Chris McDermott is a former pupil and the father of three pupils at the Duffield Road school, including Frazer, 18, who left this summer and has a sight impairment.
Mr McDermott, a businessman, has linked the school to many of its benefactors, as well as fund-raising himself by running the London marathon and holding a charity golf event.
Mr Green took part in the golf day and that is how he found out about the fund-raising drive and offered to help with the building.
Mr McDermott said: "This is fantastic news and I am delighted that the unit can go ahead in the near future after being planned for many years."
Mrs Gorman, who retired this summer, said: "It is wonderful to see this project finally start to take shape.
"I was stunned and amazed when Mr Green first made the offer and now it is actually happening."
Mr McDermott also linked the school with local charity TREATS, which has donated £25,000, and the HSBC bank.
The bank has pledged to raise £28,000 for the internal fixtures, fittings and furniture for the building.
And HSBC employees Victoria Yerbury and Paul Godfrey have agreed to do a parachute jump on September 9 and are hoping to raise £5,000.
Jenny Williamson, director of business and development, said: "This is a fantastic example of how local businesses can come together to achieve a common goal which will really make a difference to our visually impaired young adults.
"It will teach them to be independent, something we all take for granted."
The school has 25 pupils who have impaired sight and five who are blind.
The new unit will have two twin bedrooms – one for staff and one for pupils – a lounge and dining area, a kitchen and a bathroom. Pupils will take it in turns to stay and gain experience of looking after themselves under the watchful eye of a member of staff.
Comments