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NEWBURYNEWS THATCHAMNEWS

Thursday, October 29, 2020 22

Newbury Weekly News

Buy a bow and help brave Addy

Dedicated and determined PTA delivers £18k in just six months fundraising KENNET School Parent

preparation for reopening in September. Kennet said that fundraisers would have to get creative, but it benefited from having “an excep- tional group of people who are dedicated to the cause and insis- tent on seeing opportunities available to provide the pupils with improvements to their learning environment”. And with coronavirus restric- tions still in place, the challenge will continue into the New Year.

Kennet has supported a number of individual chal- lenges where pupils complete tasks for sponsorship and donate the proceeds to the PTA. Online quizzes and other activities are planned to raise essential funds, but Kennet said that these would benefit the community from social oppor- tunities. The school thanked the PTA and credited Mrs Hood and treasurer Sue Tolley for not only demonstrating the school motto of excellence through endeavour, but also being great fun to work with. The PTA is looking for new members to help with fundrais- ing ideas for site improvements and technology, however much time parents have to commit.

Teacher Association (PTA) have handed over a cheque for £18,000. This is despite only being able to fundraise for six months of the year because of the coronavirus pandemic impacting the last academic year. Kennet PTA chairwoman Kelly Hood said: “I am hugely proud of being able to hand over a cheque for £18,000. I am privileged to work with some amazing people; staff, parents and pupils. “This wouldn’t have been possi- ble without their continued support. Thank you.” Parents and teachers had to come up with creative ways of fundraising to deliver improve- ments to the school site, includ- ing several new toilet blocks, in

Campaigtnoraisemoneyforgirlwithraregenetidc isease

The memorial commemorates 32 men of the parish who died in the First World War, but has since become the focus of the community’s respect for people who lost their lives in service to the nation at a time of war. The memorial is regarded as a well-executed example of a hooded Calvary cross and in 2016 was granted Grade II-listed status for its special architec- tural or historic interest. In April 2018, Peter Seward of the Cold Ash Parish Heritage Group gave a presentation to the annual parish meeting about the memorial’s state of repair. The War Memorial Action Group [WMAG] was then formed to raise the necessary funds to restore and conserve the struc- ture. Under the chairmanship of Richard Avens, the WMAG raised funds and applied for a Faculty, the ecclesiastical form of planning permission, from the A THATCHAM woman has launched a campaignwith local traders to wrap support around a little girl diagnosed with an ultra-rare condition. Nicole Gallaugher is asking people to buy a bow for Addy Clarke – “a unicorn-loving, smiley, laughy” girl with Battens Disease. Addy, aged four, was diagnosed with the incredibly rare genetic disease that causes dementia, immobility, blindness and early death, a monthago. There is currently no cure for the disease, which affects roughly 100 children in the world, but a procedure may preserve Addy’s sight, which Great Ormond Street say could be lost before she turns seven. Addy is Mrs Gallaugher’ s best friend’s daughter. Her parents Hayley and Dave Clarke used to live in Thatcham andwere church workers for Glen- dale Church, but now live in Swin- don. Addy now needs enzyme injec- tions every two weeks for the rest of her life, which may only be another four to six years. Great OrmondStreet couldoffer the treatment to Addy, as well as the nine other families in the UK facing a Battens CLN2 diagnosis. Mrs Gallaugher has started a campaigncalled Bows for Battens, trying to raise £80,000 for the treat- ment that could preserve Addy’s eyesight. She said: “Eyesight is particu- larly important because when Addy is not able to communicate in any other way with her parents any more, it’s still an important methodof communica tion. “It’s not just blindness, it’s blindness in conjunction with other losses. “Hayley has beenmy best friend since we were little kids. We have kind of done everything together. “Now we are taking a totally new journey.” Mrs Clarke said: “The bows are such a powerful visual symbol of love for our little Addy.

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“The proposed conservation work has the full support of the Parochial Church Council and has been recommended for approval (without conditions) by the Diocesan Advisory Commit- tee“ JG Restorations Ltd of Swin- don, removed the memorial to commence work in April 2020. During the conservation process the contractors found that the main timber upright was beyond repair and the two 100-year-old original wooden name boards were revealed. The WMAG was given permis- sion by the Diocese of Oxford to replace the damaged section of the cross and to frame and display the wooden name boards inside St Mark’s Church on the memorial wall. The War Memorial was re- erected between October 16 and 20 and the name boards will be mounted inside the church in time for the Remembrance Service on November 8. help as soon as she heard Addy’s story. She said: “Being a mum and a nana, you just don’t want to think of any child suffering. “Every spare minute I’m making bows. “You just have to try and do your best don’t you?” Mrs Gallaugher urged people to back the campaign by either buying a bow from Best Buds Florist or messaging her on Face- book, offering to make bows, or, if shops were able to sell bows on their premises, get in touch. All money raised will be paid into www.justgiving.com/fund raising/nicole-gallaugher A separate account to support the family has raised more than £56,000 and donations can be made at uk.gofundme.com/f/support- for-addy-and-her-family

“It is a thrill to see cars with bows on knowing that as they go on their journey, they are journey- ing with us. “It means so very much.” Mrs Gallaugher has teamed up with Best Buds Florist in Thatcham Broadway to kickstart the campaignand is asking people to put a bow on their car bumper as a show of support. She said: “The bows are £5 each; a steep price for a bit of ribbon, a small price for a child’s eyesight.” Sweet Imagination in the Kings - landCentre, SAZimandTheWhite Hart in Thatcham High Street and the Ugly Duckling in Newbury are also selling the ribbons. One hundred have been made and 30 sold so far, raising more than £500. Owner of Best Buds Amanda Smith said she felt compelled to

The Newbury Weekly News is again helping Santa to cope with all the Christmas letters he receives from children across West Berkshire. If you send your letter to us, with a photograph of yourself, we will print it in a special edition called Dear Santa. This is a great way to let everyone know what you are wishing for this Christmas, and to get your picture in the newspaper. We will also send a copy of the publication to Santa – just to make sure! This year, one lucky child will also win a Christmas hamper full of goodies, to share with all the family. CHILDREN AGED 0 TO 12 YEARS OF AGE MAY TAKE PART. CLOSING DATE: TUESDAY NOVEMBER 24TH, 2020 AT 12-NOON. Publication date (in the NWN) – Thursday, December 3rd 2020 To enter, email your letter and picture to: dearsanta@newburynews.co.uk ask a parent/guardian include all the details below.

Cold Ash War Memorial restored COLD Ash War Memorial has been restored so that future generations can remember those from the parish who died in conflicts. outer legs of its framework have lost contact with and are no longer gaining support from the ground.

THE FOLLOWING DETAILS MUST BE INCLUDED BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN

Name of child:

Age:

Address:

Therestoredmemorial

Postcode:

Diocese of Oxford. The chancellor’s determina- tion dated April 6 said: “The memorial is in a seriously dilapi- dated state and further degrada- tion will incur if it is not suitably treated or if treatment is delayed. “The continued safety of the structure is questionable since it has been established that the

Tel no:

Signature of Parent/Guardian:

*No addresses will be published.