Grass skirts
Yesterday (26 May) people from all over Coventry donned grass skirts and danced to the hula-hula at an Hawaiian themed fundraising party in aid of the Royal National Institute of Blind People. Funds raised will go towards a new state-of-the-art facility, based in Coventry, supporting children with complex needs and sight loss.
Fundraising challenge
Around 70 guests attended the multi-themed event which included an Hawaiian barbeque, summer picnic, fine dining and cocktails and canapés. To add to the party mood, there was also music performed by a band of blind and partially sighted musicians. The event marked the launch of the IncrEDIBLE Relay, a fundraising challenge for Coventry and the surrounding area. The relay starts when one person holds a party. Each guest makes a small donation and agrees to pass on the 'IncrEDIBLE' baton by hosting their very own gourmet gathering. They invite one less person to their party until each relay reaches the finish line with an intimate evening for two!
Something that everyone would enjoy
Sue Villiers, RNIB community fundraising manager who came up with the idea, said: "We wanted people to do something that everyone would enjoy. Although a nominal donation of £3 isn't too much individually, collectively it will make a huge difference to the lives of the children at RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home, all of whom have complex needs and sight loss. We hope that this will raise a significant sum towards the £3million needed to build the new school and bungalows."
RNIB Rushton
RNIB Rushton offers specialist education, year-round residential care, tailored therapies and one-to-one health support for young people with complex needs and sight loss. The new facilities, due for completion next year, include new school amenities with specialist sensory environments, music rooms, bungalows with outdoor play areas and a water therapy suite.
Why not host your own IncrEDIBLE Relay? Visit www.rnib.org.uk/incredible or call 01933 313158 for an information pack.
ENDS
For further information including interviews and images, contact Stacey Kerr on 020 7391 2290, email stacey.kerr@rnib.org.uk
Notes to editors:
This events has been sponsored by NP Aerospace, which has chosen RNIB is its charity of the year.
1. RNIB is currently embarking upon one of its most ambitious projects to date. The current site of RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home is being redeveloped and will be replaced with a state-of-the-art facility for young people with multiple disabilities, complex health needs and sight loss.
The main phase of redevelopment is due for completion in 2011 and will be a purpose-built facility, fully accessible for young people with complex needs and sight loss. RNIB Rushton School and Children's Home is open now and there will be a phased transition to the new facilities. As well as education, it offers year-round residential care and a wide range of therapies and health support such as music therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language support and a hydrotherapy pool. Our aim is to create a provision that others will emulate.
For more information visit www.rnib.org.uk/rushton