Filling a Need

Wishmore Cross is a special needs boarding school in Chobham catering for 60 boys. Headmaster Adrian Orr has his hands full! There are always projects planned and equipment needed, so when Gordon and Ann Parris spent several hours meeting the children and looking round the school then asked for a list of "needs", Adrian had one ready.

The charity initially donated £1700. "We used it to buy equipment the boys needed for their Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme - tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks and outdoor gear. Two small self-assembly electric bikes - called Zykebikes, now discontinued - were purchased, and a fish tank was installed in the younger boys' dormitory to create some ambient night lighting.

"We started a project to convert wasteland near the technology building into an oriental garden. We raised £6500 for it, some from Surrey Heath Borough Council, thanks to Gordon! We invited him back to open the garden and he brought along Gerry Francis. This visit had a huge impact on all the boys - they're still talking about it!

"At the opening Gordon presented us with a cheque for £1000 to be used in the music department. We bought a drum kit, keyboards, and other percussion instruments, and had money over for a computer. Now the boys can print their own manuscripts and we can offer GCSE music next year. We could not have done that without this support.

"The charity has made a significant difference to every boy in this school. We have spent the money on things they can all benefit from. Many of these boys have fairly chequered pasts with severe emotional difficulties leading to difficult behaviour and exclusion from other schools.

Simply feeling important enough to warrant a visit from the "Mayor" left the boys feeling a lot more confident and is something that impressed even the older lads! They're always asking 'when's the Mayor coming again?' You just can't put a value on that.

I cannot emphasise enough how much of a real difference the charity has made to this school."