‘Big break’ for charity

Tue, Nov 28th 2006, 11:00

Snooker legend Dennis Taylor was on cue as the guest speaker at a charity dinner that raised an amazing £14,750 for well deserving Northamptonshire charity, Favell House.

Favell House is a physical disability unit that provides respite and crisis care and also day care of clients predominantly with multiple sclerosis and other degenerative neurological illnesses.

Redrow Homes held the ‘Sportsman’s Dinner’ at the fabulous Highgate House, Northampton, and local businesses donated sporting-related prizes for two exceptionally generous auctions. These included tickets to rugby and football games, a signed Nigel Mansell photograph, and a track suit from the Rugby World Cup 2003 as well as a selection of other gifts.

There was also a raffle with top prizes including a trip to Prague, a surround sound system and a day at the races. With help from these events and the sale of tickets for the evening, almost £15,000 was raised to help Favell House continue with its much-needed work.
 
David Livingstone, managing director for Northampton-based Redrow Homes (South Midlands), said: “We are a locally-based business, have built a number of developments in the county and have recently launched two new developments in Desborough and Corby. Far from being just a house builder, we strive to create new communities and enhance the ones in which we build and supporting local charities is part of this process.

“Some of our staff have been personally affected by the work that Favell House does within the community, which is why we chose them to be our worthy benefactors.”

Favell House provides essential support to those who have been affected by neurological illnesses such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, through a mixture of day care sessions where visitors can receive any assistance they may require, and respite, where they can stay at Favell House.

Karen Serdeczna, physical disability service manager at Favell House, says: “The charity dinner was a really touching tribute to the hard work and commitment that Favell House has given to the community over the last 32 years.  The £14,750 raised is an incredible amount of money and will go a long way to helping us continue our services. Some of the money will be used to purchase new alternating pressure mattresses, which are specially designed for the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, and also we will be able to buy a motorised bike that provides therapy for patients and helps reduce spasticity, increase muscle tone and promote walking ability.

“We are really grateful to Redrow for the hugely generous contribution to our cause and would like to thank everyone who attended the charity dinner for their kindness and fantastic generosity. It is such a boost for us and we are absolutely overwhelmed. It will make a huge difference to the service we provide.”
      
Redrow’s developments in Northamptonshire include Royal Park, Daventry, Redrow @ Oakley Vale, in Corby, and Redrow @ The Grange, in Desborough.  The award winning housebuilder is also active in Long Itchington and Leighton Buzzard.