On Friday 27th January 2023, a new local Children’s Charity, Therapy Stars Foundation was officially launched. The Trustees, Sian Boffey, Suzie Allcock, Deb Whalley and Helen Hutcheson gave a short presentation to introduce the idea behind the Charity and how it will be helping to support local children and their families.
Therapy Stars Foundation offers awards of £500 to families living in Shropshire, Cheshire or North Wales for them to access therapy for a child with a long-term or life limiting condition. The grants can also be used for siblings of these children. Therapy may include more well-known professions such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy, but also those lesser known such as Music Therapy, Hippotherapy & Equine therapy, Hydrotherapy & Aquatic Therapy and counselling for example.
Early Intervention is key for many young children with long term or life-limiting conditions and ongoing therapy is a way of life for most of these families. But the financial constraints placed on all families, as well as the reduced resources available through statutory services, have meant that many children do not receive the therapy that they need or deserve. Therapy Stars Foundation would love to be able to support as many local families as possible.
The afternoon was enjoyed by many local therapists, other charity staff, friends and supporters, as well as Simon Baynes, MP for Clwyd South, Ken Skates, MS for Clwyd South, Councillor John McCusker and members of the Maelor South community council. The guests enjoyed some excellent refreshments, including brownies donated by Grazed Brownies of Ruabon.
Sian Boffey, Co-founder & Trustee of the Charity said, “We had such a great turnout at the launch of our new Charity, and we are excited to be able to support as many local families as possible. We are keen to spread the word so that others can signpost families to us and also help us to fundraise as much as possible.”
The Charity will now be accepting applications for grants. The information and grant process can be found on the website www.therapystarsfoundation.org.uk.