大象传媒

SNAPS (Special Needs And Parent Support) was formed five years ago as a voluntary organisation to provide activities for severely physically handicapped children and kids with learning disabilities, who need special facilities to enjoy the things that many of us take for granted.

Samantha Grundy and her family banded together with several other local families she'd met at a MENCAP project, as they felt they needed specialist help in providing activities for handicapped children.

"One activity that brings so much pleasure to the kids is swimming. Quite a simple thing for most of us but with our kids you are talking about using a hoist to get some of the kids in the water as well as instructors who can provide specialist tuition. So, we formed the Swim Club with the help of money provided by Children In Need."

"It would be impossible to use an everyday swimming pool so we had to approach a special school to use their facilities but they needed funding and that's where Children In Need came in. We got a grant 拢34,388 to cover three years' costs for the use of a pool and a physiotherapist."

"Because of the special needs of these kids, sometimes the Swim Club is the only positive activity they get to participate in - and the joy of their faces is a picture to behold! It also helps to bring their siblings together and whole families can benefit."

"We give out badges and awards like any club. It may only be a badge for swimming ten metres but to these kids that's a great achievement and gives them a real feeling of pride and can be a bit emotional for the parents and siblings."

"It's not just the young 'uns who benefit, we have disabled children up until the age of 16 coming here so we cater for as many people as we can. The group also acts as a support group where parents can get advice and help each other and hopefully听 introduce the kids to other activities to boost their self-esteem. If it wasn't for activities like this, many of tehse children would be cooped up inside frustrated that they weren't a part of the outside world - but thanks to Children In Need they can!"听听听听听听