Firstly, let me thank you for visiting my sponsorship page (and encourage you to give generously by telling you about my charity of choice - Cosgrove Care).

Cosgrove is a small charity in Glasgow.  It supports more than 120 adults and children ranging from 3 to 83. Among the services on offer, the children can take part in play schemes that are immeasurable in terms of friendships and quality time with siblings and family. They also experience new emotions which increases their opportunity for happiness.

Cosgrove offers adults help in the development of practical life skills, encouraging users to be able to do their own food-shopping, interact socially and become relatively self-sufficient on a day-to-day basis. Individuals can live alone in homes which may have been adapted for those with physical as well as learning disabilities. Each property is supported by staff 24-hours a day. 

Cosgrove set up its unique Supported Employment Scheme to help overcome the exclusion experienced by people with learning difficulties. The scheme broadens learning and employment prospects by giving practical and vocational training as well as work experience. This can lead to service users obtaining recognised qualifications which improves their chances of gaining paid employment allowing them to escape from what is sometimes called the “benefits’ trap”.

Cosgrove increases support for families and carers by helping parents develop the knowledge and skills to support children with learning difficulties.

Cosgrove offers service users the opportunity to participate in a range of groups including creative writing, art and music which enables them to develop skills and build confidence thereby improving their inclusion within the local community.

Despite the opportunities Cosgrove offers adults and children with learning disabilities and mental health issues, local government cost-cutting means that Cosgrove may need to reduce the range of services provided – this will have a negative impact on the lives of those Cosgrove tries to help. To avoid this, Cosgrove is actively seeking to raise money through community fundraising....and I’ll be part of that during my sponsored 3-hour Zumba class.

It’s estimated that Zumba can burn 800 calories in a typical class, so as I will be doing 3 hours of Zumba on Sunday 14th November, I expect to need a whole new wardrobe of smaller clothes on Monday 15th November.......I promise not to use my sponsorship money on those clothes!!  

I’m hoping to raise the same amount in money as I will lose in calories (per hour). So please, support me in helping the users of Cosgrove Care get the life they deserve and offer whatever you can afford to help me reach my target of £800.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cosgrove Care gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.