Revellers raise £10,000 for children's charity

Children Today is The Tile Association’s nominated charity for 2010. From donations and pledges at the awards dinner TTA members gave over £10,000 for this very worthwhile charity and donations are still coming in. The money came from a collection at the tables, pledges and from eager members paying to have their photograph taken with “Marilyn Monroe”.

Children Today focus on providing specialist equipment to young people up to the age of 25. From the collection at the 2009 dinner the following children were helped.

Eleven year old Deborah from Kent has Spina Bifida. The TTA money enabled her to get a £1000.00 specialist wheelchair which she can mobilise herself so she no longer has to rely on her pals at school to push her around.

Justin from Lanark in Scotland is only 4 and he suffers from Oxygen Dependence Asthma. A £325.00 Trampoline helps him exercise to move secretions from deeper in his lungs, so he can cough them out which helps keep his chest clear and optimise lung function.

Two and a half year old Gabrielle from Luton has Delay Seizure Disorder and has to go to Great Ormond Street Children’s hospital in London for treatment. A special £750.00 car seat This makes this journey much easier and safer.

Four year old Skye from Newcastle has Cerebral Palsy and the TTA donation enabled Children Today to buy her a £800.00 Interactive Sensory Star Carpet. The fibre optic lights and sensory toys in this device allow independent play and encourage movement including reaching, crawling and rolling.

Finally Caitlyn from Chester-le-Street is just four and has Eye, Ear & Heart Defects. The charity spent £94.98 on a Baby Trike and Little Tikes Kitchen & Laundry The kitchen promotes play skills, coordination and learning in a safe environment. Caitlyn can't walk very well and she is very, very small.

These are just a few of the children helped by the generosity of the tile industry in a very difficult financial environment. You will find the full list of children helped on TTA website under events where there is a link to the Children Today website where you can donate or just go straight to www.childrentoday.org.uk