As many of you will remember from the last issue, we received a letter from Adam King, a local man who has Cerebral Palsy and is raising funds towards a Tobii C15 Eyegaze system. When I met Adam for a chat I was struck not only by what an amiable, positive and enthusiastic person he is, but having seen the word board he currently uses to communicate in use, how frustrating it must be for him to make himself understood especially by people that don’t know him. This new device really would make a difference to his life. In his words “For the first time in my life it will give me the chance to be a normal person, doing normal things”.
Adam has now joined forces with a charity called the Sequal Trust, an organisation that aims to bridge the communication gap by supplying specialist communication equipment for disabled people of all ages across the UK. This means that Adam will have added support in his fundraising and the device should cost slightly less going through this organisation.
In May, Adam set himself an ambitious fundraising target of £9,000. So far, working alongside local organisations Littleport Leisure Centre, YPL and Hiam and Prickwillow Social Club, as well as receiving generous support from local individuals he has managed to raise over 60% of his goal.
In June he undertook the huge task of completing a half marathon over 5 days by completing a lap near his home and finishing on the final day at the Leisure Centre Fun Day; in his collection bucket alone he raised £124.60.
Other events so far include a Quiz and a Race night at the Leisure Centre, a Bingo night at Hiam and Prickwillow Social Club, a cake stall and a monthly Bingo night at YPL. Adam is also in the process of putting a fundraising calendar together showcasing some of his favourite sights in Littleport.
For more information about Adam, the Sequal trust, the Tobii C15 Eyegaze system and future fundraising events visit www.adamking.me.uk or to make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/Adam-King0