Thank you to Dauntsey's School

On Monday 14th October Sophy Layzell was delighted to be invited back to Dauntsey’s school to receive a cheque for £10,334.70. The generous amount was mainly achieved through various sporting endeavours undertaken throughout the year. A challenging 125 mile Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race and 24 hour Runathon were the two main events, which generated an additional £400 in gift aid (not included in the total). Sophy reminded the pupils of the Trust’s two visits during the year. Firstly, a workshop on 15th December focussed on Organ Transplants for the 5th form. They talked of Jemima’s legacy and the power of transplants for the donor and recipient family. Secondly, our ambassador Polly Williamson came on 5th July to talk to the Lower 6th about her experience of brain injury. Her journey is similar to many of the children that we help, and her recovery is still on-going. Many of the children we help face similar challenges to Polly and sadly many face far worse. The funding we offer goes a small way to improve the quality of their lives. Sophy hoped that the pupils continue to talk about the issues surrounding both those huge emotive subjects continues. She also encouraged them to enter the Trust’s Creative Writing Competition. Entry opens 31st Oct and work must be on A4, any genre, and the title must be ‘Second Chance’. Details are on the website. Sophy then talked about what the funds raised will be used for. This past year the Trust have provided Bristol Children’s Hospital with a specialist metalinguistic programme so that they can accurately assess the needs of children with brain injury. Two lightwriters, which are machines that ‘speak’ for patients who cannot use their voice. Three specialist wheelchairs so that children can participate in family and school life. Therapy sessions, two ipads so that therapy can continue at home. Plus they provided medical cover for transplant patients at the transplant games. Every single one of these things helps children live better and recover faster from their brain injury and we know that every penny that Dauntsey’s have raised will make a huge difference to people’s lives. On behalf of everyone at the Jemima Layzell Trust, thank you all. Pictured are head girl Riya and Ed who helped raise a significant amount for the charity.