The Farthings Foundation is a relatively new organisation so, we only have a few stories to tell thus far. However, our intention is to change that sooner rather than later so, from time to time we will be adding stories to tell you about real-life successes.
Estoi West
We met Estoi and her family through our involvement in the MACS charity which supports children without eyes or with severe visual impairment.
Estoi’s impaired vision and her passion for swimming means she needs a pool coach Cally to instruct alongside her as she swims. Estoi trains with her mainstream club in Swindon each week and also with the Para squad in Bath.
The photos are from the British Blind Sport Junior swim festival in Solihull where Estoi took part in competitive races as well as having a diving lesson.
Cheska Bratt-Martin
Cheska who has cerebral palsy and impaired sight first sat on a horse when she was 18 months old and started riding when she was 5yrs old at a local riding school.
When she was 8 she had a little Welsh pony and competed in showing classes, though this was on a lead rein as her vision meant that she couldn’t see the barriers. Cheska’s passion eventually settled on dressage and she has ambitions to become a paralympic dressage rider. Currently she is training with Sarah Healing at Penniwells Riding for the Disabled centre and is regularly competing as a grade 1 rider at bronze and silver level, very often bringing red rosettes for first prize. We are helping Cheska by providing coaching and covering the entry fees to the competitions.
Cheska is a very determined young lady who works very hard to overcome her disabilities and we have no doubt she will achieve her aim of riding at the Olympics one day.
Phoebe Gibbons & Stoke Mandeville Maulers
Jean made contact with the Stoke Mandeville Maulers after reading about wheelchair rugby.
We were then introduced to Phoebe Gibbons who was trying to raise funds for her own competition wheelchair . These specialist chairs ( tanks more like! ) cost in the region of £10,000 and are are only made by one firm based in New Zealand. We have agreed to meet any shortfall for Phoebe and have also bought a trailer for the team to help with taking their chairs to competition.
Wheelchair rugby is as tough as ordinary rugby and watching some of the tackling during a match can be eye watering.
Southwark Stars
Southwark Stars are a group of football players that puts unity above anything else. Brought together by their love of the game, they train once a week, and play friendlies and tournaments against other disability football teams. They pride themselves on giving everyone an equal opportunity to enjoy the beautiful game. Their goal is to be a true representation of their community, in Southwark, London.
You can discover more about them on their website at https://southwarkstars.co.uk/about/
Southwark Stars – football tournament
A brilliant afternoon with our friends of Southwark Stars who were hosting a 5-a-side football tournament on a sports facility in South London.
Some 50 or so disabled players all over the age of 18 – including a couple of girls – from around London, having a wonderful time playing very good football with help and encouragement from a group of brilliant volunteers. Puts life into perspective.
You can discover more about them on their website at https://southwarkstars.co.uk/about/
Dart Sailability
Dart Sailability is a charity which enables anybody with any disability to enjoy sailing, boating and associated activities including social events. Based at Dartside Quay at Galmpton, the charity is run and managed by volunteers.
We read about this group when they were having difficulties with meeting the costs for the yard from which they operated on the River Dart.
At this point, we have agreed to fund the rent on their new premises but are looking at other aspects of the amazing work they do.
You can discover more about them on their website at https://www.dartsailability.org/
MACS
MACS is the UK’s national charity for children born without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes. They help over 3000 people from 1000 families across the UK, supporting them at every stage of their journey by providing peer support, practical help and opportunities to take part in life-changing activity trips.
We have agreed to contribute £5000 towards their annual Sailing trip. We will also see how we can assist them in their other endeavours too.
MACS sailing voyages are the ultimate experience for fun, friendship and adventure. They are run in partnership Ocean Youth Trust South, an adventure sail training charity, in their 30-metre vessel Prolific.
MACS voyages are intended to help young people develop their independence and confidence, make friends, learn new skills and most importantly to have fun!
Find out more at https://macs.org.uk/
Eden Hays – Equestrian
13 year old Eden (at time of writing) is a true ‘bright spark’ with a great sense of fun! She is also a very determined young lady who has overcome dwarfism and mild epilepsy to become an accomplished rider.
The Farthings Foundation first became aware of Eden through the Riding for the Disabled Association, where Jean works as a volunteer.
Eden has serious ambitions to become a Paralympic competitor in equestrian events… a highly commendable goal and one that we are trying to help her achieve.
The Farthings Foundation have undertaken to cover all relevant costs incurred during the period until she can apply for a para dressage grade, around the time of her 13th birthday. Thereafter, we will reassess her needs going forward.
