Associated Charities

Would you like to run in support of our Associated Charities?

GWR KIDS

GWR KIDS charity has a commitment to helping Wiltshire’s children and young people who experience the negative effects of poverty, abuse, neglect, homelessness, violence, crime, illness or disability. Every year GWR KIDS organises local fundraising events to help support more kds projects across Wiltshire

For more information visit: www.wiltshiresgwrfm.co.uk/charity.asp

MS Therapy Centre

2008 is a significant year for the Swindon Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Therapy Centre – not only is it our 25^th anniversary year but it is also the year we want to raise sufficient funds to move to new premises which will better meet the needs of our members and the estimated 500 people who have MS in our local area. Currently we are located in a small run down industrial unit which is cramped, difficult to access and impractical in enabling us to fully offer the friendship, relief from isolation and the comprehensive range of treatments and therapies that our members value.

MS is an incurable and unpredictable disease affecting the central nervous system. The Swindon MS Therapy Centre provides a vital range of therapies, care and support for people with MS in Swindon and in the surrounding community within a 35 mile radius, together with important assistance for their families and carers. The Centre enables people living with MS to have the ability and power to manage their disease rather than letting it take control of their lives, whilst keeping them as mobile and independent for as long as possible. 

Think of us as a comfort blanket – providing warmth, safety, friendship & support so people with MS can face the world with confidence – with the Moving Soon Appeal we want to ensure we continue to do this in an environment where people can continue to flourish and we can reach out to more people who need us.

Please consider running and raising much needed sponsorship for the Swindon MS Therapy Centre's Moving Soon Appeal - you can help us make 2008 an extra special year. Thank you.

For more information visit: : www.msswindon.org.uk

Email: stcswindon@aol.com

Sponsorship form: ms_therapy_sponsor_form.pdf

NSPCC - Swindon and North Wiltshire Branch

The NSPCC is the UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children and this year the NSPCC Swindon and North Wiltshire Branch is celebrating 110 years of helping local children and families.

More than 450 local children, parents and carers used our family centres last year. Our family centres in North Swindon and Calne provide positive parenting support for dads, teenage parents and local families. Children come to the centres for play schemes, after school groups and activity centres. The family centres also offer counselling and crisis support.

153 children in our local community received specialist help at our Swindon Therapeutic Centre where we work with some of the most vulnerable children in our community. Children who have experienced physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Children who need time, patience and expert help to re-build their lives.

In February 2006 ChildLine formally joined the NSPCC in a move that is ensuring even stronger services and a more influential voice for children and young people. The ChildLine service, now one of the NSPCC's listening services, still has the same well known telephone number - 0800 1111 - and children and young people can still call 24 hours a day and receive the same crucial service.

But we can only continue to help these children and families if you help us. By running in the Swindon Half Marathon and raising sponsorship for the NSPCC, you can make a real difference to children in your community and ensure they continue to receive these vital services.

For further information visit www.nspcc.org.uk

Email: swindon110@nspcc.org.uk

Sponsorship Form: nspcc_sponsorship_form.pdf

There’s also a really easy way for you to raise sponsorship by setting up your own sponsorship page at www.justgiving.com/nspcc

Swindon Ten - Eighteen Projects (S.T.E.P.)

Swindon Ten - Eighteen Projects is a registered charity based in Swindon, supporting local young people aged 10-18 who are experiencing diificulties in their lives. Young people are referred from a professional who knows them well (e.g. teacher or social worker) because they would benefit from learning important life skills, such as how to manage their anger, build their self-esteem and deal with difficult situations.

S.T.E.P. runs groups of 6-14 young people involving a variety of activities such as art, drama, sports and games, all based around a specific therapeutic am. Young people attend one evening a week for two hours and transport is provided. The length of time a young person attends is down to the individual, they may stay for 3 sets of groups (6-8 weeks each) or longer depending on their needs.

On Saturdays S.T.E.P. also runs groups for young people with moderate learning difficulties e.g. Autism and Downs Syndrome. This gives young people a positive use of leisure time outside of the school or home environment and also gives valuable respite to their families.

Email: SwindonSTEP@aol.com

Sponsorship Form: step_sponsorship_form.pdf

Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool

Opened in 1979 the pool is a unique purpose-built facility available to any individual with a disability whether permanent or temporary. The Len Lee Suite opened in September 2002 and adds a further two changing rooms and two high dependency private changing rooms, all connected by an overhead hoist movement system, taking users to showers, toilets and directly into the pool. Four adjustable changing beds are also available, two are fitted with showers.

The facility is open 76 hours a week over 7 days and is fully operational for 50 weeks of the year. Equipment such as wheelchairs, shower chairs, hoists and water therapy aids are available. There are specially equipped changing rooms with hydraulic changing tables for males and females plus a private family changing area. There are large shower areas. A lounge area enables users to relax after their session and have a friendly chat and a cup of coffee in comfort. All staff are qualified in First Aid, swimming teaching and life saving.

17 Special Schools and Units use the pool on a regular basis, Resource Centres, numerous local groups as well as individuals whose ages range from 1 to 80 years plus and come from all over Wiltshire and the surrounding counties.

The users suffer from a wide range of disabilities including brain damage, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, arthritis, blindness, deafness and asthma. Other users include amputees, people with severe back problems and those recovering from operations. In short virtually any condition you can think of.

Every week the pool averages 700 users. Since opening it has been used over 750,000 times.

Email: Info@thamesdownhydrotherapypool.com

For more information visit: www.thamesdownhydrotherapypool.com

Sponsorship Form: hydrotherapy_sponsorship_form.pdf