Family Fun Day

We had a lovely day at Yateley United FC last Sunday (14th June) with friends and suppoerters joining us for a day in the sun, with a BBQ, drinks and a bouncy castle prominent.

The highlight of the day was an update by Harris Fayiah, one of our volunteers from the VOS Programme in Liberia. If ever there was a need to highlight the benefits of our efforts in Liberia, Harris showed clearly the positives in helping young children. Indeed, Harris himself, a beneficiary of the SDCF Scholarship programme, clearly shows how the opportunity of education changes everything!

We also took the opportunity to launch our brand new “SDCF September Coffee Fundraiser”, full details of which are soon to appear in our Events section.

This VIDEO shows the moving moment when Harris presented Maureen with a framed picture and warm words of gratitude.

(The flag of St George in the background reflects the World Cup being shown at the venue!!)

14th June Family fun Day

We would like to invite all supporters and friends to our Family Fun day on the 14th June 2026.

It will be held at the Yateley United Football clubhouse in Sean Devereux Park, Yateley from 1pm-5pm. Please note that whilst in Sean Devereux Park it is not the Golf Club where we have been in previous years.

This year’s event will be an opportunity for us to thank you for all your support, hopefully over a BBQ with a drink. There will be a bouncy castle and plenty of indoor & outdoor space for children and families

We will also update you a little on our current activities in Liberia and launch our very innovative “Coffee" Fundraiser”. We might also take the opportunity to do a raffle, you’d be disappointed if we didn’t!

There will be no formal “Walk for Sean” but of course walkers and dogs are welcome if they fancy a walk before or after.

Please do let us know if you will be there to help our planning by emailing admin@seandevereux.org.uk

More details will be announced shortly but we would like to record our thanks to Colin Ive and his team at Yateley United FC who are generously allowing us to use their facilities

St John Bosco College, Battersea visit

Both Maureen and Nick Crean (Trustee) had the pleasure of visiting St John Bosco College in Battersea recently following their recent “Walk for Sean” fundraiser.

During the visit, hosted in the Devereux Centre opened by Maureem in 2017, they met staff and pupils who have been so supportive of SDCF.

As reported in our recent newsletter, the students raised over £400, a fantastic effort and much appreciated.

Maureen and Nick would like to thank Paul Dunne, the Head, as well as Shaheeda and Bozena who organised the visit, for all their support and efforts associated with the walk and the visit. A special thank you to the 6th formers who produce the In Touch magazine and every single student who took part and contributed to the walk.

Here are a few pictures from that special day.

Autumn Ball raises £14,000+

The Autumn Ball was once again a great success, with over 120 people enjoying a lovely evening at the spectacular Farnham Castle. Thank you to everyone who attended, took part in the “heads and tails” game or supported in any way. We are confident that the evening has raised over £14,000 thanks to your time and generosity.

All fundraising, whether sponsorship, donations, attending the ball or “running, walking, cycling for Sean”, helps to change lives through education in Liberia.

We want once again to place on record our gratitude to Geraldine, Cathy, Howard and Andy for supporting the Fund in this way. Farnham Castle is a beautiful and busy venue and to donate it to SDCF for an evening (especially with a large wedding the next day) is a wonderful gift in support of Sean’s legacy.

Downton Abbey Premiere-Auction

We are delighted to announce that our Patron, Raquel Cassidy, has kindly secured 2 tickets for the forthcoming film World Premiere of the new Downton Abbey; The Grand Finale. These tickets will be auctioned to raise money for both SDCF and Phyllis Tuckwell.

Full details are below and we would like to record our gratitude to both Raquel and Universal for facilitating this wonderful prize.

A spectacular Downtown Abbey Auction prize!

Bid to win two tickets to the world premiere of Downtown Abbey: The Grand Finale & after show party.

Join the stars in Leicester Square for the long-awaited world premiere of Downtown Abbey: The Grand Finale on Wednesday 3rd September 2025.

This is the final film and therefore the last opportunity to share a moment with the makers of Downton Abbey. A celebration that is likely to be moving and, a real honouring of all that Downton Abbey has meant to the fans over so many years.

Thanks to Universal and Raquel Cassidy (aka Phyllis Baxter) we are delighted to be able to offer for auction these money can’t buy tickets. The lucky winner and guest will need to arrive at Leicester Square for 6pm ready for the film to start at 7pm. You will enjoy the film, join cast and crew at the after party and will meet Raquel for photos and a chat!

The amount raised for this prize will be split equally between Raquel’s chosen charities – Phyllis Tuckwell and the Sean Devereux Children's Fund.

To bid now….

 https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/downtonabbey-grandfinale

 

Three "Walks for Sean" on the same day!

On June 22nd, we are delighted to report that we held 3 separate “Walks for Sean”, one in Yateley, one in Brewerville and one in Tappita.

The photos (Liberia) and video (Yateley) below show the great success and enjoyment of the day, all helping us raise (at the time of writing) a little under £5000 to help educate young blind children in Liberia.

We would like to thank all the organisers in both continents, those that took part, both fundraising and donating, and those who have supported in any way to help us raise this money.

Finally, a 4th “Walk for Sean” also took place in Battersea Park on the 20th June, with the pupils of St John Bosco School also raising funds. We will report on this event as soon as we receive the photos.

Maureen's big day at Windsor Castle

We reported recently that Maureen had been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours (June ‘24) and yesterday (16th October) she received the award from HRH Prince William.

Maureen with her much-deserved MBE

Accompanied on the day by Theresa, Tania and their families and friends, this special occasion was rounded off with a celebratory lunch.

As Maureen said when the award was made public, “I am shocked, humbled and deeply honoured to have been awarded the MBE. I accept it on behalf of the Fund, its dedicated trustees, past and present and the very many friends and family who have helped establish, run and support our charity over many years”.

This is a well-deserved award for Maureen and the Devereux family, whose resilience and energy continues to motivate us all to support the continued education of young people in Liberia.

Trustees visit to Liberia-2024

Later this month, Mark and Theresa, along with Suzanne, will be visiting Liberia. These visits are so important for the Fund, allowing as it does an opportunity to get alongside our volunteers and, most importantly, see first-hand the schools and children that benefit from your support.

We will publish a full report on our website when they return, as well as in a newsletter.

In the meantime, and following the successful fund-raising last Friday (11/10), here are a few pictures that remind us all of who those funds directly benefit. It is important to remember that children would not attend school without these funds and the very fabric of the Brewerville school is maintained and enhanced by supporter money.