The Chronicle Sunshine Fund are encouraging schools across the region to get involved in a new planting project spread a little sunshine in support of disabled children living in the North East.
The charity, which provides babies, children and young adults with disabilities across the North East with equipment not available on the NHS to meet their individual specialist needs, have launched the new Seeds of Hope.
Seeds of Hope is an engaging and educational project designed to complement the school curriculum to support learning around the life-cycle of plants but also to teach children about diversity, inclusivity and equal opportunities. The project, which has been guided by a team of primary school educators, will provide new ideas and offer practical activities for key topics; across all year groups in schools.
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The charity describe Seeds of Hope as a 'celebration of our differences because differences are what make us individual, and individuality is beautiful.'
The Sunshine Fund are also helping the launch of the initiative will encourage schools and organisations to fundraise throughout the project to support the charity in funding vital equipment for our children in the coming months.
Fundraising and Events Coordinator, Erin Todd is leading on the project and said: "Seeds of Hope helps us all to create a more accepting and inclusive wider community for all children to learn, play and grow.
"As our children are at the heart of what we do, it felt only right that we introduce a project that children across the North East can get involved with that supports their learning and understanding of diversity, equality and inclusion in a fun and engaging way. We hope our sunflowers spread joy to the masses as a symbol of love and kindness. We will also be encouraging schools and organisations to fundraise throughout the project where possible, to support us in funding vital equipment for our children."
Schools and organisations can take part in the project for free and will receive an exclusive Resource and Learning pack which is full of lesson, assembly, and fundraising ideas. There is also the opportunity to join the Sunshine Fund's live virtual school assembly and download our Inclusion Workshop.
One school already signed up to the project is Meadowdale Academy in Bedlington.
School head Mrs Amanda Allison said: "We are pleased to be part of the Chronicle Sunshine Fund’s 'Seeds of Hope' project which will help complement our school curriculum in Science and PSHE. It builds upon our own project last lockdown, when our PTFA sent every child 'seeds of hope' to grow for themselves, the community and our world. By planting seeds of hope, we aim to help spread further sunshine; celebrating our differences to help all our children learn, play and grow in a more accepting and inclusive community"
Mrs Claire Lapworth, a teacher at Gateshead based Dryden Primary said the school decided to get involved with the project because they "fully support the amazing work that is done by the Sunshine Fund.
"We have benefitted from their funding in the past and felt like this initiative was something our pupils would enjoy getting involved in. We can't wait to get started and share the results on our social media"
Jackie Needham, a teacher at Newcastle's Dame Allan’s Junior School said she was "really excited about supporting the Seeds of Hope project."
"It will give us an opportunity to develop our wildlife and garden areas in school," she said. "While enhancing our diversity and inclusion curriculum. We are passionate about supporting local charities and communities. It is important for our pupils to be aware and supportive of issues such as disability. We really look forward to creating our sunflower areas."
To register your school or organisation to take part, visit the website here or email the team directly at erin.todd@thesunshinefund.org.
