Happy Landings for Soft Landings
Children with disability in Bexley are enjoying soft landings when they play because of the determination of a former Mayor who went up in a balloon.
Former councillor Denis Daniels, Bexley's Mayor in 2003-4, achieved nationwide fame when a photograph of him swinging under a balloon at that year's Danson Show was used in the national press.
When he was chosen to don the civic robes, Cllr Daniels sought advice from Bexley's Social Services team in selecting a charity to support in his year of office. He wanted a cause where he could make a real difference. When he was told that Falconwood, a respite care service for children with learning disability in Welling, was trying to raise funds to develop a large soft play area, the decision was made.
In May, Mr Daniels formally opened the new building for which he and his wife, Donna, raised an astounding £35,000 in their mayoral year. In fact they worked so hard that they collected an additional £3,000, which was dispersed to other charities.
Falconwood, a respite centre, provides a diverse range of activities and fun things for children to do within a safe environment. Many have severe learning disabilities and some also have physical disabilities. A number use wheelchairs. The soft play area has been designed to enable them to extend their range of play activities without the risk of harming themselves.
As well as being fun, soft play is stimulating. It gives children the chance to strengthen their muscles, explore and learn, away from the constraints of wheelchairs. They can play freely, develop social skills or just relax and enjoy their surroundings.
Judy Cox, the MCCH manager at Falconwood, had plans to demolish an old double garage at the back and put up a new building housing a soft environment area large enough for a whole group of children. After several years' fund-raising she had collected about £7,000.
When Mr Daniels first visited Falconwood he immediately grasped the need. "Playing alone isn't much fun for any child. The new play area will teach them to play and learn together in safe surroundings. We will raise the money," he pledged.
That was the start of a year of ceaseless campaigning as Mr Daniels issued a challenge to the people of Bexley to raise the funds for the charity, now named Soft Landings.
Cllr Harbans Singh Buttar, the 2003-4 Deputy Mayor, also hosted several functions to provide additional support for the campaign.
In a good example of partnership working, Bexley's Children and Young Person's Service and other Council officers worked with MCCH Society Ltd, the Council's provider of services for people with learning difficulties, to turn Judy's dream into a reality.
Judy Cox, says: "I'm so pleased that all the children now have the opportunity to enjoy playing in a lovely new building with all the modern toys and equipment.
"A very big thank you to Mr and Mrs Daniels and to the rest of the fund-raising committee for making this possible."
Janice Campbell, London Director of Operations of the MCCH Society, says: "We are delighted that this new facility is available to add to the experience of children using the respite service at Falconwood and are grateful to Mr and Mrs Daniels and everyone who supported their fund-raising."
