'Secret Millionnaire' saves special needs project
A "SECRET millionaire" has donated £10,000 to help save a charity providing respite care for children with special needs.
The woman, from Shoreham, who wants to remain anonymous, gave the money to the Adur Special Needs Project (ASP) after seeing an article about its funding crisis in the Herald.
"We were stunned – it was just like something from Secret Millionaire when they reveal who they are and hand over a big cheque," said Jacqui Shanahan, who runs the project with her husband, Joe.
"We would like everyone to know a local resident has donated this amount of money in one generous act.
"She is a sort of mysterious angel. Things like this don't happen every day."
Fund-raising
ASP, based in Ham Road, Shoreham, provides respite care for hundreds of youngsters, with conditions including Asperger syndrome and autism, across Sussex.
It was announced in December the charity was facing closure because of a lack of funds.
Since then, thousands of pounds have been donated and Jacqui said the project will definitely be able to continue into the new year.
But she added that it was only the "first leg" of a long fund-raising campaign to keep the project going in the long term.
Sponsored walk
On Sunday, November 1, torrential rain failed to put off 100 determined fund-raisers who took part in a walk, from the bandstand, in Montague Street, Worthing, to Brooklands, Lancing.
Martine Tomsett, of Meadow Crescent, Worthing, organised the walk because her seven-year-old son, Bobby, has Asperger syndrome and uses the service.
She said the idea of coping without the charity sent her into a panic and she was thrilled so many people had turned up in the awful weather to help save ASP.
Boni Preston's eight-year-old daughter, Savannah, took part in the walk, despite being diagnosed with polyarticular arthritis in April.
"She really wanted to take part because of her own condition and because the charity helps people with special needs," said Boni, of Loose Lane, Sompting.
Martine said she would organise another walk for the fund-raisers who could not take part on Sunday.
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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