shirts4spoonad 20/3/07 11:42 am Page 1
SpoonProjects
“NO ONE SHOULD UNDER
ESTIMATE THE
DIFFERENCE RDA MAKES
FOR ALL THE CHILDREN
WHO ATTEND. MONEY
COULD NOT BUY THE
mental health disorders and others from nearby BENEFIT HE GOT OUT
schools. OF IT.”
Spoon’s investment of £29,000 saw the club-room
extended at both ends and turned into a proper FATHER, FRED
clubhouse. Two new stables have been built at one WILKINSON
GET SHIRTY
end, with disabled toilets and showers, a changing
room and lobby at the other end. Central heating
has been installed throughout and the kitchen area “THIS PLAYGROUND
WITH WOODEN
refurbished and tiled in Spoon’s colours! The build MEETS A VERY REAL NEED and caters for children aged 3-19 with severe
took barely three months to complete and has IN PROVIDING EXERCISE learning difficulties. The school has over 90 pupils
transformed the facility. AS WELL AS FUN AND and serves a very wide catchment area in and
SPOON
ENJOYMENT TO ALL AGE around Downpatrick. The school is co-educational
By a quirk of fate, the centre was originally opened GROUPS.” and serves pupils from all religious and ethnic
in 1991 by the then Honorary President of Riding backgrounds.
for the Disabled in Northern Ireland, a certain Willie DR JACK KYLE, JOINT Anne Blaney, the Vice Principal approached Spoon
John McBride MBE. Willie John provided his own HONORARY PRESIDENT, in 2005 to see if the charity could modernise and
seal of approval for the new extension when he SPOON ULSTER refurbish the very basic playground. Spoon stepped
once again performed the official opening in and within a year the playground was up and
Mrs Moira Kerr, Hon. Chairperson of Longstone running.
RDA said: “We now have over 100 children using
the school every week and I have a further list of The existing equipment, at the front of the school,
ON 5TH OCTOBER 2007
groups who want to come. It is such a pleasure to was re-painted in Spoon colours. The Nursery Play
WOODEN SPOON, THE CHARITY OF BRITISH AND
go down there now – I don’t even need to take my Area was provided with a new sandpit, swing,
IRISH RUGBY IS ASKING YOU TO DONATE £1 TO
coat!” activity panels and other features. Additional swings
WEAR YOUR FAVOURITE SHIRT FOR THE DAY
have been added for the juniors and a game on the AND HELP RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT
Fred Wilkinson, a fundraiser and parent at terrace has been provided for those in wheelchairs.
DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN IN YOUR AREA.
Longstone, said “No one should The officially opening was a great success with Dr
underestimate the difference RDA makes for Jack Kyle speaking eloquently about the importance
all the children who attend.” When his own of exercise for all young people especially for pupils www.woodenspoon.com
son first had his experience of riding, Fred who have very limited attention and concentration
said, “Money could not buy the benefit he spans. Jack said, “Some parents find it very difficult
For further details on how your school or business can
got out of it.” at home to provide the type of physical exercise that
organise a Shirts4Spoon day, please contact:
their children need and this playground meets a
Jon Eagle: shirts4spoon@woodesnpoon.com (Schools)
very real need in providing exercise as well as fun
Jai Purewal : jpurewal@woodenspoon.com (Corporate)
ULSTER - KNOCKEVIN SPECIAL SCHOOL,
Top left: Riding at the new
and enjoyment to all age groups.”
DOWNPATRICK
Longstone facilities
£22,200 FOR PLAY AREAS
Top Right: Ulster Committee
members and Spoon Chairman,
Roger Davies with Joint Honorary
On 14 May, Dr. Jack Kyle, the Ulster Honorary Presidents, Willie John McBride
President opened the 3rd Ulster project in 2007 at
and Dr Jack Kyle at Longstone
Knockevin Special School, Downpatrick, Co. Down.
Right: Enjoying the good weather
Knockevin Special School was built 12 years ago
at Longstone RDA
Charity No. 326691
14 Spoonews Summer 2007
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