Tim Seaman
4 Planks Vs 3 Peaks
Fundraising for The Elizabeth Foundation
Story
Hannah and I first met Julie from the Elizabeth Foundation (EF) in Cosham, Portsmouth just after we had been given the news that Daniel had a severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Our heads were spinning but Julie reassured us that their help was there.
The following week we travelled from the Isle of Wight and met with Julie to be shown around the EF. From that visit we knew we wanted Daniel to start in the baby group. Throughout our time at the EF we have always felt that we have the support of the staff and of equal value that we have been able to talk to other parents going through a similar situation.
The Elizabeth Foundation is a Charity which helps deaf babies and pre-school children learn to listen and speak. They are there to support and inform families from the moment their child is diagnosed with any degree of hearing loss. This year over 80 babies, toddlers and pre-school children will attend specialist education programmes and receive individual speech and language therapy. Over the years many families from the Isle of Wight have made the weekly trip over the Solent and our fundraising will help to ensure the charity will be available to help future deaf children from the IOW.
Daniel has progressed beyond all our expectations while at the EF and will start at an Isle of Wight mainstream school in September.
As my way of thanking all the EF staff for the amazing work they do with all the little ones I wanted to take on a challenge. I was delighted when I managed to get three friends who know of Daniel’s journey drunk enough to say yes!! A big thank you to Chris, Leigh and Ollie for that.
Our challenge will take place in June 2019 when we intend to climb the Three Peaks: Ben Nevis on the 28th, Scafell Pike on the 29th and Snowdon on the 30th.
We will be funding our own expenses to ensure all money raised goes to the Charity.
The Elizabeth Foundation receives no statutory core funding and relies heavily on the support of families, friends, grant making Trusts, businesses and the community.