SpoonProjects
gives them the chance to be
independent, a sense of
achievement - and puts smiles on
their faces.
On the 7th December, The
Diamond Centre held their
Christmas Open Day and during
the proceedings Spoon Surrey’s
Honorary President, John
Inverdale, presented the Centre
local representatives to ensure that with a cheque for the funding of
the facilities will meet the needs three new horses, Alfie, Delilah
and aspirations of the local and Brownie.
community. David Jackson, Chairman of
in intensive care or who are representative. The rest of the The project was supported by Surrey Spoon, said “It was very
undergoing long-term oncology Cambridge Committee was also Wooden Spoon Somerset who apparent that not only did all the
treatment. Occupancy rates are on hand to show their support. donated £40,000 to provide a riders thoroughly enjoy their
over 98% and there’s always a Joy Worship, House Manager at sensory room and garden that will activity, but that it was very
waiting list. Some 50 families will Acorn House says “We are very benefit children with sensory therapeutic. We are delighted to
‘come and go’ each month, some grateful to Wooden Spoon, this impairments or disabilities. have been able to support The
in residence only for a few days donation has made a huge The sensory garden has been
others staying for many months. difference to Acorn House and the designed and planted to allow
The ‘Home’ has 15 bedrooms, 9 comfort of families that stay children to enjoy different textures
bathrooms, a communal kitchen, here”. and sensations. The room
playroom and a large living area. comprises musical toys, wooden
The private bedrooms allow SOMERSET wall plaques that respond to the
parents to get a good night’s sleep
Project: Sensory Room & Garden
slightest touch with sound and
and the communal living areas
Recipient: Children’s Centre
motion and ergonomic toys and
mean families can do normal
Spoon’s Donation: £40,000
shapes designed to allow children
things together. to lie or sit on them.
Spoon Cambridge Region
Benefactors: Children with
David Reed, Somerset Chairman
donated £15,000 to fund the
Sensory Impairments
praised his Committee for their
refurbishment of Acorn House.
Official Opening: 14/10/08
fundraising efforts for the project
The grant has made the home Celebrity: HRH, The Countess which will give much needed
much more comfortable,
of Wessex
support to disadvantaged children
providing new carpets in the Web Link: within the Region for many years Diamond Centre and hope the
bedrooms, lounge, playroom, hall
woodenspoon.com/somerset
to come. three new horses will provide fun
and stairway, two induction hobs and company for the riders for
and accessories, a new cooker, You can read ‘A Day in the Life SURREY many years to come.”
two leather settees, three chairs of Joy Worship’ on Page 27.
Project: Funding of Three New
Following the presentation of
for the quiet room, wicker chairs On the 14th October Her Royal
Horses
the annual awards the riders were
for the bedrooms, curtains for the Highness, The Countess of Wessex
Recipient: Diamond Centre for
given the opportunity to show
lounge, a blind for the kitchen attended the official opening of
Disabled Riders
their prowess during a Pantomime
and two garden benches. the County Councils new
Spoon’s Donation: 10,000
show. A total of 34 different
Honorary Life President of children’s centre for Norton horses were paraded in the arena
Wooden Spoon, Peter Scott Fitzwarren and surrounding areas.
Benefactors: Disabled Children
opened the project on behalf of Somerset County Council
and Adults
and most impressive it was too.
Perhaps the highlight of the day
the Cambridge Committee and contributed over £700,000 to
Official Opening: 7/12/08
was a display by a young rider
thoroughly enjoyed his role as create the new centre, working
Celebrity: John Inverdale
called Laurentia Tan who
‘special guest’ rather than Spoon with a steering group comprising Web Link: performed the dressage ride she
woodenspoon.com/surrey performed at the Paralympic
games in Beijing earlier this year.
The Diamond Centre for Disabled
Riders is a registered charity based
in Carshalton, that provides
facilities that benefit disabled
Above: Surrey Honorary President,
children and adults by having
John Inverdale with the new horse
Brownie
regular contact with horses. The
Left: Paralympian, Laurentia Tan at the
Diamond Centre is a unique Diamond Centre’s Christmas Open Day
establishment for riding for the Above: Spoon Somerset Chairman with
disabled specialising in all fields of
HRH The Countess of Wessex at the
riding including; dressage, carriage
opening of the new Somerset
Children’s Centre
driving, vaulting and hippotherapy.
Above Left: Lucy Manktelow, Molly
Riders are aged between 4 and
Napier and Ella Thomson from St
65 years old and each week, with
John’s College School Cambridge who
raised funds for Spoon through their
the assistance of dedicated
Chapel collections, the sale of
instructors, they can enjoy the
wristbands and the 5th Form play with
experience of riding, driving or
Spoon Life President, Peter Scott at
the refurbishment of the Residential
vaulting. An experience which Home, Acorn House
26 Spoonews Winter 2009
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