Inclusive fundraiser to support play scheme in Worthing for children with additional needs

Chanctonbury Community Play Scheme (CCPS) – which is based at Oak Grove Collefge for weeks three and four of the summer holidays – has created the ‘Marathon in May’ and ‘Marvellous Movers’ challenges as a way for people to support its services for children in West Sussex

The marathon challenges participants to travel 26 miles in a month using any form of exercise – be it a run, cycle, walk, skip, swim or a mixture of them all – while the movers challenge encourages those taking part to move for 20 minutes a day by doing things like hoola hooping, jumping, skipping, dancing or any other type of physical activity.

Polly Herron, who volunteered at CCPS for 14 years and is now a coordinator, said: “CCPS is a registered charity that was set up in 1977 with the aim of providing respite care for children with special needs and their families.

“We rely on financial support from the local community to help us operate. We have many young volunteers who give up their holiday time to help care, entertain and make friends with our very special children.

“I have always tried to do a fundraiser for their amazing work every year. Sadly last year was the first year we could not run and support our amazing families since we started. I was also unable to do a fundraiser, so I wanted this years efforts to be extra special.

“The main idea behind this fundraiser was being inclusive, for everyone to be able to take part in one way or another, just like the play scheme.”

While being based in Storrington for the first two weeks of the summer holidays, it is also based at the Rock Road Campus of Steyning Grammar School during weeks one and two of the summer holidays, and runs from 10am-4pm during weekdays, and it is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Olly Pratt, a volunteer who will be taking part in the fundraiser, said: “[Taking part] would mean a lot to them as due to Covid, along with many other businesses, they still have costs they need to cover. It will also mean they are able to keep providing the outstanding experience to the children of Sussex when the Covid restrictions deem fit.”

To take part in the fundraising challenge, participants will be required to gather their own sponsorship and will need to sign up to the charity’s team page via JustGiving.

To do so, visit www.justgiving.com/team/ccpsmovers and request to join the team.

For full instructions on how to take part in the challenge find CCPS on Facebook or visit the charity’s website www.ccps-sussex.org.uk