THE SENSORY PHYSICAL SUPPORT SERVICE'S CHILDREN'S FUND,
RIPON (JULY 2007)

The Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation has donated £500 to The Sensory and Physical Support Service Children's Fund in Ripon to finance specialist toys and equipment . They will be used to expand the toy library for children with visual and hearing impairments, providing both them and their families with the opportunity to meet socially and have life enriching experiences.

The Sensory and Physical Support Service consists of teachers with specialist qualifications who work with visually, hearing and physically impaired children throughout North Yorkshire . The charity is part of the Specialist Teaching Service which aims to provide activities and equipment to enhance the lives of children with such impairments. These activities include access to a toy library, visits to Lapland , family fun days, pre-school activities, outings and special interest days.

Janet Pentelow, advisory support teacher, commented, "These specialist toys are well received by the families we work with and are particularly beneficial for aiding the development of the children. We are grateful for this generous donation. Our next venture is to raise £18,800 to take a group of blind, partially sighted and deaf children on a day trip to Lapland in December 2008. This will be a rich multi-sensory experience for those involved. If anyone would like to support our fundraising activities then contact Vicky Taylor on 07966326624"

Sue Bramley, branch manager of Skipton's Ripon branch, on behalf of the Skipton Building Society Charitable Foundation, added, "We are delighted to have been able to donate to such a worthy cause and hope that the children will benefit from the toys. Our Charitable Foundation aims to make a real difference to people's lives and any registered charities that are looking for help can pick up an application form from their nearest Skipton branch."