RAF Wittering choose PDDCS as one their two charities of the year

Jack at an special PDDCS
open day at RAF Wittering

We're delight to announce that RAF Wittering have selected PDDCS as one of their two charities of the year. This is great news as it will help pay for our many activities throughout the year (of which there are many for deaf children and their families)

Here is the press release from RAF Wittering

CHARITIES for children with serious and long term conditions were chosen by RAF Wittering’s Charities Committee as the Station’s local good causes for 2014/2015. 

Anna’s Hope, a Lincolnshire based charity, supports children and young adults with brain tumours. The charity was founded by Robert and Claire Hughes, who lost their daughter Anna to a brain tumour at only three years old.

Since October 2006 Anna’s Hope has made a difference to the lives of children and young people with brain tumours by providing support and rehabilitation, during and after treatment, to help them reach their full potential.

Anna’s Hope founder Carole Hughes said; “Anna's Hope is absolutely delighted to be chosen by RAF Wittering to be a chosen charity for 2014/2015 along with Peterborough Deaf Children’s Society, thank you. Every penny raised for Anna's Hope will go to making a difference to children and young people in this region diagnosed with a brain tumour.”

The Peterborough & District Deaf Children’s Society (PDDCS) has provided lots of activities for children who are deaf or suffer from hearing loss. Ages range from babies to young adults and the society has around 120 member families.

Founded in 1971, the PDDCS has been supporting deaf and hearing-impaired children and their families by arranging sports, active pursuits and enjoyable days out, and provides a valuable social outlet for parents.

Andy Palmer, PDDCS Chairman said; “We're delighted to be chosen with Anna’s Hope and very much looking forward to working with RAF Wittering this year. The PDDCS needs support to do what it does, and this is really going to help us make a big difference to children with deafness and hearing loss. Thank you RAF Wittering.”

Although RAF Wittering’s personnel are free to make their own arrangements for charitable giving, any monies which are raised through Station-wide events for local charities will be divided on an equal basis between Anna’s Hope and PDDCS.

RAF Wittering Station Commander, Group Captain Damian Alexander said; “I am very pleased that the Station Charities Committee has chosen two good causes which are local to RAF Wittering, as this supplements the wider charitable support that we provide to the Service’s own charities. Anna’s Hope and the Peterborough Deaf Children’s Society work towards different goals but, importantly, have a key connection, that of the welfare of children and young adults at their core.”

He continued; “These organisations are run by hardworking and selfless volunteers, who give freely of their own time and resources. This kind of commitment resonates very clearly with RAF Wittering personnel, who have a long record of generous charitable giving and service before self.”

PDDCS once again extends its thanks to RAF Wittering for this news and for all they (and Rachel Mawdsley) have done for us in the past 

A huge thank you to RAF Wittering and Rachel Mawdsley

Rachel (centre) and Maris (right)  with husband Gareth and daughter Izzy

Rachel Mawdsley from RAF Wittering raised an amazing £362 for PDDCS by running the Grantham half-marathon. Her daughter Izzy and husband Gareth also ran the 3km run.

A big thanks to them for their amazing efforts. Rachel was also at RAF Wittering when they generously hosted PDDCS for an amazing day of fun around the huge airbase last month.

The children and families had a go on the fire engines, the firing range and could climb aboard the impressive collection of vehicles stationed at the base. The families also had a guided tour of the Harrier museum and a hearty lunch! Take a look at the pictures below!

Rachel said: "It was a lovely day running the marathon, really sunny and 500 people completed the Grantham Half Marathon. Maris and I ran in 1 hr 57 minutes which we were really pleased with and faster than we thought – training obviously paid off!

"The route was a mixture of flat by the tow path and 2 big hills that were quite a challenge! The event started and finished at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium in Grantham and the finish on the running track was a nice touch."

Andy Palmer, committee member of PDDCS said:

"We just want to say a huge thanks to Rachel and her family. It was lovely to meet them on our day at the very impressive Wittering base. The money she raised will go directly on the events we run for deaf children and their families all year round. If it were not for people like Rachel, we wouldn't be here for the over 100 deaf children in the city.

"I also want to thank Station Commander Group Captain Damian Alexander for his generosity, warmth and hospitality to PDDCS and to Ed Palmer and all the staff from Wittering for putting on such an amazing day for our families. It was one of the best events we've done."

You can find out more about RAF Wittering on their Facebook page and see what PDDCS have going on this year on our events page. If you would like to fund raise for us, please get in touch.

Photos