South London charity ‘The May Pole Project’ marks 15 years supporting families with complex medical needs

BY CALUM FRASER
calum@slpmedia.co.uk

A charity which helps critically ill children across South London is hosting an anniversary ball.

Tomorrow The Maypole Project will mark 15 years of service supporting families with children with complex medical needs.

The charity supports more than 1,000 children and families every year, but they estimate that this only covers about 30 per cent of the people that need their help.

Chief Executive Sally Flatteau Taylor said: “The Maypole Project provides a lifeline of support for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families – from counselling and support groups to activities including sports clubs, drumming workshops and soft play sessions.

“We want to do more – we want to help more families, offer more activities and events and extend our provision in specialist areas such as sensory play.

“We need to continue to increase the amount raised each year – we currently raise £250,000 annually and hope to continue to grow this target to enable us to reach more children in need.

“Our Anniversary Ball promises to not only be a fantastic night out but your support at this event will help us continue and build upon our great work to date.”

Maypole offers sailing trips in partnership with the Ahoy Centre charity in Deptford and the soft play centre, Gambados, in Beckenham.

Kay Price from Bromley, a user of the Maypole Project, said: “When my son was four years old, he was diagnosed with autism and learning disabilities.

“He was later diagnosed with epilepsy and a sensory processing disorder, and now aged 12 is non-verbal and currently being tested for ADHD.

“I started to access the services that The Maypole Project offer when my youngest daughter was three years old, feeling rather overwhelmed at the thought of bringing her up alongside my son.

“I first used the befriending service which was very useful and helped me to get my head around all that was occurring within my life.

My daughter then began utilising the sibling support group which helped greatly.”

The Maypole Project organises many activities and outings which enable my child with special needs to be alongside their sibling which is lovely, and something which not many other services provide.

Tickets for the Anniversary Ball cost £80 and include a drinks reception, three-course dinner, live music, charity auction and dancing until late.

For more information or for tickets call 01689 851596 or email fundraising@themaypoleproject.co.uk.