Sammy’s Foundation Charity, set up in memory of 13-year-old Ramsgate schoolboy Sammy Alban-Stanley, will be holding a raffle to mark the one year anniversary of the organisation and the date of Sammy’s 19th birthday.
Sammy fell from cliffs at Ramsgate in April 2020 after climbing over the railings. Emergency services were called and he was flown to King’s College Hospital but he died of his injuries four days later.
Sammy was autistic and lived with Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS), a rare genetic condition that causes physical symptoms, learning difficulties and behavioural problems. For Sammy this included high risk behaviour that would result in self-harm and previous life risk incidents.
During an inquest into Sammy’s death, assistant coroner Catherine Wood said there was a clear failure in what was provided by Kent County Council to Sammy’s family to help with his care. A Prevention of Future Deaths report was issued by assistant coroner Catherine Wood following those failures in care that led to Sammy’s death.
The Foundation runs schemes to teach heritage craft skills to young adults with complex neurological conditions so they can become “a new generation of master artisans.”
Sammy was a keen craftsman with particular skills in upholstery and carpentry and the aim of charity Sammy’s Foundation – set up by Sammy’s mum Patricia- is to deliver high-quality professional training in valuable heritage crafts to other young people, like Sammy, who are born with neurological conditions.
The raffle is being held at the Royal Victoria Pavilion on Monday (December 8) which marks Sammy’s 19th birthday.
It will be drawn at noon next to the memorial tree on the venue’s terrace where Sammy used to sit. The tree has been decorated.
A luxury champagne and fine foods hamper is the prize on offer.
All proceeds will be going to the Foundation.
Patricia said: “If you’re local, do pop down to the Pavilion (Wetherspoons terrace) to buy tickets or and join us by his tree for the draw! Or if you’re not local, please still support us anyway, email us at [email protected] for tickets.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported us during our inaugural year.”
A very worthy cause in memory of Sammy learning heritage crafts, which are very much in demand today and the future. Sammy was a credit to you Patricia.