Lord & Lady Shaftesbury support Charity Dinner for Canopy Appeal!
Press Release: 9th June 2016
Patrons of Victoria Education Centre for Disabled Young People, Lord & Lady Shaftesbury, attended an intimate charity dinner last week in aid of the school’s ’Canopy Appeal’.
Guests were invited to a delicious 3 course meal, supplied for free by catering company ‘Alice Bee at Home’, owned by Alice Ogeleye.
Alice’s son, Tobi, who attended the school, sadly passed away last year at the tender age of 12 and Alice & her husband Femi wanted to give something back to Victoria Education Centre.
“Our son Tobi who had cerebral palsy, passed away last November and we wanted to thank the school for the wonderful work and the incredible support they offered Tobi and our family”.
Alice continued, “Having recently set up a catering company, I wanted to offer a special evening of champagne & fine dining and in return guests were asked to donate towards their dining experience. Everyone was incredibly generous and the evening raised £2,500, which will go towards the school’s ‘Canopy Appeal’.”
Sue Stratis, Head of Support Services at the school, who was one of the guests at the dinner, explains, “Victoria Education Centre is a day and residential school in Poole, offering specialised, high quality care and therapy for young disabled people from 3-19 years old. All students have physical disabilities or complex medical conditions and many have additional needs including communication difficulties, learning difficulties and sensory impairments.”
Sue continues, “The ‘Canopy Appeal’ has been set up to raise funds for an 80m walkway between two buildings of the school, which desperately requires a covering, as disabled students are open daily to the elements as they cross between them. At a cost of approximately £90,000 the school has a way to go but thanks to the support of the guests at the charity dinner and Alice’s generosity, the school is one step closer to fulfilling this much needed facility.”
If you would like to get involved in fundraising or make a donation to Victoria Education Centre, please contact Sue Stratis on 01202 763697 or email vec@victoria.poole.sch.uk for further information.
If you wish to find out more information regarding Alice’s company ‘Alice Bee at Home’, please call her on 07889 742653 or send an email to info@alicebeeathome.co.uk
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About Victoria Education Centre
Victoria Education Centre is a day and residential school in Poole, Dorset offering specialised, high quality care and therapy for young disabled people from 3-19 years old. All students have physical disabilities or complex medical conditions and many have additional needs including communication difficulties, learning difficulties and sensory impairments. In 2013 the school opened a new state of the art aqua therapy pool providing a full range of sensory equipment, lighting and film projections to stimulate children with profound needs. Victoria Education Centre is part of the Livability family of community services.
Visit the Victoria Education Centre website: http://www.victoria.poole.sch.uk
Email: vec@victoria.poole.sch.uk Telephone: Sue Stratis on 01202 763697
Contact: Janet Miles, Head of Communications and Campaigns at Livability. Email: JMiles@livability.org.uk Tel: 020 7452 2084 | Mob. 07885 687 908