As previously reported the Fund has helped with our young Liberian athletes as they prepare to represent Liberia for the very first time in Abu Dhabi in mid-March.
What a fantastic opportunity and how exciting! Our correspondents in Abu Dhabi ( Maureen and Theresa Devereux) will be reporting directly but in the meantime here is some press coverage from Africa online.
Mark and Theresa Chatterton are re-visiting Liberia one year on from the last Trustees visit and are delighted to see old friends and great progress in our Brewerville School.
All our efforts as sponsors and supporters are about helping children to benefit from education and these pictures vividly illustrate the rewards and challenges involved.
The picture of the Library features 1000 books that your funds have purchased recently and starkly contrast with just 12 months ago where barely a book was visible in the same room.
We will post further updates in the next few days and a full report when Mark and Theresa return.
The 2019 quiz night was held on Saturday 9th February at the Salesian College and raised a staggering £2400 for the Fund.
As ever it proved to be a hugely enjoyable event for 40 teams taking part in this annual test of trivia.
The Class of 82 defended their title valiantly despite being numerically disadvantaged, once again challenging for the prize right to the end. However, in a repeat of their 2016 triumph, “Don’t forget the Nuts” (pictured below) saw off all competition to claim the Prosecco.
A huge thank you to Mark and Theresa Chatterton who organised the event with great support from Sally, Jane and vitally the Salesian College PTA. Without their active support before and during the event it would not be such a success and the Fund is hugely grateful.
Restocking the bar twice on the same night was almost the equivalent of RAF mid-air re-fuelling and deserves great credit!
As ever Nick Crean put Alexander Armstrong to shame with his quizzing expertise and we are really grateful for his professionalism and the support of his team.
In our recently newsletter we announced that a small team from Liberia would take part in the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi this Spring. This would be the first time that Liberia has ever entered a team in this landmark occasion, a multi-sports event for children with intellectual disabilities.
The Fund has supported this initiative in a small way to help these young children train for the event and in supporting them on their return, a key pre-requisite of entering a team in the Olympics.
Training is under way in earnest as you can see from the pictures below and we wish the team every success in March.
Maureen was delighted to be recently invited to the opening of a new resource building at St John Bosco School in Wandsworth.
The new Devereux Centre was opened by the Head, Paul Dunne and Maureen on the 15th January.
“The centre is a targeted specialist resource base provision for young people who have an Education Health and Care Plan specifying Autistic Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Disorder needs as a prime need, and who have complex mental health needs including high levels of anxiety, eating disorders, phobias or self-harming behaviours.
“In an ever-changing world it is right that educational resources are constantly evolving and I am delighted that this new resource will continue to help children who most need it and for the honour of it being named after Sean” said Maureen.
We are delighted to announce that our Patron, Maureen Devereux, was awarded with an “Outstanding Services to the Community” award by the influential Lions International Charity.
She received the award on Wednesday 9th January and would like to thank all those who support the fund which has raised over £1.25m since inception for the primary purpose of educating African children.
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We are delighted to announcer that Raquel Cassidy, star of Downton Abbey, has recently become a Patron of the Charity. Raquel attended Farnborough Hill with Sean’s sisters and her father, Denis, was a trustee in the early years.
Raquel as Phyllis Baxter in Downton Abbey
In accepting the role Raquel said “I wanted to let you all know how honoured and grateful I feel to have been asked to join SDCF, not only because of deeply fond and happy memories I have of Sean himself, but also because of the work you have all been doing and the difference you are making to so many children at the school in Brewerville”.
Raquel is currently on the set of the new Downton Abbey film and has also starred in Lead Balloon, Teachers and the Worst Witch amongst many others.
We hope to talk with Raquel more in a future newsletter but wish her every success in this latest role!
Despite 30 degrees of heat, well over 150 people walked around Sean Devereux Park yesterday.
Thanks to all who took part, raised money and commercially-sponsored the event. Over the next few weeks we will report back on the money raised, which as of 15th July stands at in excess of £8000!
Meanwhile in Liberia similar temperatures prevailed and over 300 people had their own Walk for Sean, reminding us vividly of what we are all working for. Here you can see pictures from both Yateley and Liberia.
Just one week to go to the 2018 Walk for Sean and preparations well underway.
Looks like you will need your suntan cream, hats and water!
If you haven't registered to attend but are coming, please do so now via the Events page of this website.
