The Norman Laud Association...

In 2008 I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Norman Laud Association, which began around 45 years ago when a group of parents of disabled children got together to form a nursery and support group because there was nothing of the sort available in the area. A local councillor Norman Laud heard about this group and set about getting support and raising funds for them, from whence the charity was born.

Sian Pemberton is a Community Fundraiser at the Norman Laud Association and she told me more: "Many children are with us from nursery, right through to adulthood, in which respect we are unique within the Midlands region. To sustain the high standards of care that we provide and to further develop our services, we need to raise £250,000 each year through fundraising. Your support therefore is extremely important to us."

I was able to raise £1,235 by climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, and this was used to help the Norman Laud Association reach their target of £21,500 to refurbish their sensory room. This room provides a modern, safe and comfortable environment which provides stimulation to the primary senses. Children without speech can use it to help them indicate preferences and develop communication skills. The room can also promote sensory awareness, concentration levels, fun and recreation.

Sian told me more about the room: “We have sought expert help to design our room to ensure it will meet the needs of all our children, whatever their disability and age. The design of the room and the equipment inside will provide a range of sensory stimuli and experiences to absorb, explore and control. The room will encompass sound, light and texture and will allow the children to be stimulated on a daily basis.

“Many of our children are wheelchair bound and the sensory room will offer them the opportunity to relax safely, out of their wheelchairs, in a calm and peaceful environment. Some of our children can become very agitated so this area will allow them to be left alone to be calmed and soothed by music, light and touch in the comfort and security of the padded floor and walls.”