During 2011 I was involved in a construction project at Kingmoor Park in Carlisle for Carlisle Mencap, which has impressed me greatly.  It is the new GRACE LITTLE RESPITE CENTRE for children with special needs and learning disabilities and their families.

The centre has been created with great attention to meet the needs of children with a wide range of special needs including learning disabilities and autism as well as physical disabilities and will also offer overnight respite facilities with specially adapted bedrooms and bathrooms.

This will enable the families of these children to take a well earned break from their caring roles to spend time with their other children and have some rest and recuperation from what can be a rewarding but very demanding role, knowing that the facilities at The Grace Little Centre will also be a welcome change and fun for their children.

It was possible to realise a dream that had been held by Carlisle Mencap for many years, to offer families fulfilling respite breaks in a purpose built local facility, through a bequest which was left to them by a local lady, Grace Little,  following her death, in recognition of the care that Carlisle Mencap had given her son, who had learning disabilities, during his life.

There have been a number of significant donations and a fantastic response to the fund-raising events for this project so far, and the construction work has been successfully completed in record

time. The centre is now ready to be completed and welcome children with all the special sensory equipment which will make it a super place for the children to come and enjoy – however – FUNDS ARE NOW DESPERATELY NEEDED TO COMPLETE THIS VITAL PHASE OF THE PROJECT.

As a result I was asked if I would continue to help this cause. Having had firsthand experience of the superb care that Mencap can offer to families, following the numerous times they cared for my little sister, I was very happy to assist.

Last year I did a sponsored abseil down the Civic Centre in Carlisle for The Grace Little Centre and appreciated the support given by many family and friends. Now I would like to undertake a more significant challenge and quite literally lift  my fund raising target – I have decided to carry out an ACCELERATED FREE FALL SKY DIVE – AND - HOPE TO RAISE £1000!!!

That’s what I plan to do – but I hope you will help me too – so, PLEASE, PLEASE WILL YOU SPONSOR ME?    

PLEASE NOTE- THAT I WILL BE MEETING ALL COSTS FOR THE SKY DIVE, AND ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE GRACE LITTLE CENTRE.

I will be following the ground section of the course on 25 May, 2012 and the Jump will be on the following Saturday…..yikes!!!

I do hope you can help,

Thank you very much.