Raised: 92%
Target: £2,000.00
Raised so far: £1,845.00
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My story

 

Its going to be a funny old Christmas. Half the world is in financial meltdown, the other half in social and political turmoil. I don't know about you but it just doesn't seem right to me to buy lots of presents this year for people who just don't need anything.

One group of people who really do need something this year is children with autism. Many of them are in desperate need of something as simple as an appropriate education. You have no idea how hard it can be to educate a child who has zero interest in anything apparently normal - toys, dressing up, painting, singing, role play....other people. It requires intensive, highly skilled, one to one teaching which is slow, repetitive and totally bespoke for each child.

Without this sort of education there are many parents who, every Christmas, will be looking at a pile of unopened presents well into the New Year. They remain unopened because their child has no interest in finding out what's inside the parcel.....although he was probably obsessed by staring at the shiny gold paper for a few days. We know this because we were those parents a few years ago.

Fortunately Rufus is now the archetypal excited kid at Christmas, waking up way too early, ripping open his presents in a nanosecond and making himself sick on chocolate. We are also amazingly lucky that he has progressed so much that he can now hold his own in a mainstream school. He is even starting to make the first slow steps towards having a few friends.

All of this is because of his early, intensive education. Without it, we would be dreading the future in general and this Christmas in particular. Treehouse provides exactly the kind of education Rufus has had, but in a school setting. It was set up by a group of enlightened parents and is still, many years on, the most cutting edge organisation of its kind in the UK. It works incredibly hard to help children aquire the skills and interests they need to have a better, more fullfilled life. And to enjoy Christmas.

I'm not suggesting you don't give your family any presents this year (imagine the outrage!) but, if you were thinking of buying one for us or our children, it would be fantastic if you could make a donation to Treehouse instead. In fact, any amount, from any of you would be hugely appreciated. The minimum donation is £2.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. TreeHouse 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.

Thanks so much
Ali



Happy New Year! Donation by Fran, Mark, James and Matthew 19/01/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Better late than never hope you had a good Xmas! Donation by Chris 18/01/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Donation by Amanda Hitt 09/01/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Happy Christmas! Donation by Helens 22/12/08  

£75.00 + £21.15 Gift Aid

Merry Christmas Mike, Nat & Taylor Donation by The Pittams 16/12/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Merry Christmas Henens! Donation by The Pittams 16/12/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Merry Christmas to Claudio & Corinne Donation by The Pittams 16/12/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Thinking of you at Christmas.Relax and enjoy. Donation by The Marments 16/12/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku 2009! Donation by Karolina Gburczyk 13/12/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

happy christmas. let us know when you want to visit Oz. Love to all. Steve and Camilla Donation by Bowhills 10/12/08  

£40.00

Great Idea! Happy Christmas from Mumbai! Will be thinking of you all when we tuck into the Tandoori Turkey here!! Donation by Alia, Jane & Cyrus 08/12/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Well done everyone, and best wishes for Christmas. Donation by The Cocky's 05/12/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Happy Christmas Donation by McEllins 03/12/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

My way of saying thank you..and Happy Christmas to you all. Donation by Heidi 02/12/08  

£10.00

Happy Christmas Donation by ABC & JBC 02/12/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Happy Holidays!!! Best Wishes Donation by The OConnors 01/12/08  

£250.00

Merry Christmas x Donation by Karen King 01/12/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Brilliant! Donation by JGm&b 30/11/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

con tanto amore Donation by Pony & Fox 30/11/08  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

Happy Christmas! Donation by Leesons 30/11/08  

£100.00

Merry Givemas, Happy New Children Donation by RT 29/11/08  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

lots of love Stephie, George and Tansie xx Donation by Stephie 29/11/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Ho, Ho, Ho! Donation by Oli Plenderleith 28/11/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Merry Chrimbo and all the best for 2009 Donation by Sam Boocock 28/11/08  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Happy Christmas everyone Donation by Anon 28/11/08  

£35.00

Happy Christmas - it is a time for giving Donation by Tommy Aitken 28/11/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Andrew Gohl 28/11/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Brilliant, come on everyone Donation by John Maguire 28/11/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation by Ali Pittam 27/11/08  

£200.00
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* Total raised online: £1,845.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £341.28

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