SASBAH launch at Bexhill High School

This week four assemblies were held to tell pupils about the important work of the charity, why they should get involved in fundraising, and the launch of a community variety concert at Bexhill High School on October 24.

Teacher Debbie Holter, who is head of Endeavour House, is spearheading the campaign and helped present to pupils this week '“ she held assembly on Wednesday with Hilary Lewis and Margaret Burgess of SASBAH and service user Katie Baird.

Debbie commented: "Bexhill High has adopted SASBAH because it is a local charity and it is vital to keep charity at home...SASBAH works in the community and will provide residential trips, helps with wheelchair grants, and providing wheelchairs and so on.

"Today we had a presentation from Hilary Lewis who explained about Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, and what that means as well as the impact it has on your life if you suffer from those conditions.

"A number of our students didn't realise Hydrocephalus is not something you are born with but contract through other illnesses '“ in later life as well.

"Katie talked to them what it is like to live with one of the effects of her condition '“ which is that she has short term memory loss. She has a fantastic long term memory which means she can remember her mother's car registration number from when she was four years old, but then she can't remember where she put something down two minutes ago.

"Then Margaret spoke about the effect of that in education '“ how if you are trying to revise for an exam you might read something which goes in and then straight out again. Concentration is very hard for people with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. And then there is the problem of mobility, and just getting into school."

Pupils will be looking at different ways of fundraising during the next year but in the meantime are already starting to prepare for the upcoming concert which will feature a wide range of community talent from within the school itself but including BLODS, Hastings College of Performing Arts, and will be produced by Ann Hughes.

Debbie commented: "It will be almost a cabaret performance. Each act will have eight to ten minutes and there will be performance from The Mikado, Grease, singing, breakdancing and streetdancing. It is a variety show.

"I think it helps to have a community feel to fundraising and that is important in a school."

SASBAH's Romeen Sanglaji commented: "SASBAH are delighted that Bexhill High School have chosen to support our charity over the next year. We are a small local charity that supports over 600 people with severe physical and learning disabilities across Sussex.

"Apart from the essential fundraising that will take place throughout the year in the school it is vital for organisations like ours to have access to young people and help to raise awareness of disabilities and understanding of how to interact with disabled young people. It is essential for us to promote the work that we do and the support that is needed for disabled young people and their families and carers.

"We look forward to working with the young people and teachers in the school over the next year and hope they benfit as much from the whole experience as we will do.

"The charity appeal will be launched with a Gala concert being held at Bexhill High School, which we are very much looking forward to."

For more information on the appeal or to obtain tickets at 5 each please contact Rom Sanglaji on [email protected] or on 07779038542 or purchase tickets from the reception of Bexhill High School, Downs Rd site.