Westwood Cross is supporting The Llewellyn School with a pop-up fundraising event alongside the school’s charity partner, Louie’s Helping Hands, tomorrow (8 August).
Based in Quex Park, Birchington, The Llewellyn School is a specialist independent educational facility that nurtures a passion for learning among pupils with a range of SEND needs, including hearing and visual impairments, communication difficulties, physical disabilities, ASD and ADHD.
The school opened its Quex site in 2019 after an epic fundraiser lasting more than a year. It is run by Sara Llewellyn who set the school up to provide education for her son Louie and other children in a similar situation after the closure of the Royal School for the Deaf in December 2015. The John Townsend Trust, which ran it, went into administration.
The closure left scores of young people without suitable schooling. Demand for places at Llewellyn meant the couple had to look for bigger premises. Anthony Curwen the managing director of Quex Park in Birchington, offered Sara a plot of land to build the school in 2018 and it has thrived since then.
Its curriculum is tailored to each child, creating a holistic environment that supports individual learning styles and helps every pupil reach their full potential.
The school is supported by Louie’s Helping Hands, which raises vital funds for specialist therapies, including horse riding and hydrotherapy, as well as equipment that enhances learning and supports pupils’ physical, emotional, social, and communication development.
Volunteers from Louie’s Helping Hands will be at Westwood Cross’s Community Hub to raise funds and awareness of its work, and a pop-up stall will feature a selection of hand-crafted items made by pupils, with proceeds supporting specialist therapies and equipment.
Emily Anderson, Lead Charity Coordinator at The Llewellyn School, said: “Louie’s Helping Hands plays a vital role in supporting children and young people with disabilities and complex needs.
“Through funding specialist equipment, therapies such as horse riding and hydrotherapy, and opportunities that enrich pupils’ lives, the charity helps children and young people at The Llewellyn School build confidence, develop new skills and reach their full potential.”
Fran Donovan, Centre Director at Westwood Cross, said: “As a shopping centre at the heart of the community, it is important to us to support local causes that make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
“The Westwood Cross Community Hub was created to give back to the public and provide charities, schools and community groups with a welcoming space to raise awareness, generate vital funds and connect with local people. We are proud to support Louie’s Helping Hands and The Llewellyn School, and we hope visitors will come along on Saturday 8 August to show their support.”
To find about more about The Llewellyn School and Louie’s Helping Hands, visit https://www.thellewellyn.school/Louie-s-Helping-Hands/
I wish them well with their fund raising.