Paces students going the extra mile to raise funds

TWO pupils at Paces School in High Green are going the extra mile in a bid to raise money to ensure the charity that runs their school has a strong future in these uncertain times.

Nine-year-old Tobias, from Sheffield, is using his walker to walk up and down his street every day, inspired by the amazing efforts of Captain Tom Moore. He has Cerebal Palsy and Autism and cannot stand or walk unaided. He’s raising money for Paces and Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where he regularly visits for treatment. So far, Tobias has raised over £8,000.

Eight-year-old Lennie, from Leeds, has Cerebral Palsy and Hydrocephalus. He isn’t able to stand or walk independently but wanted to undertake fundraising to support his school and chose what he knows and loves best – learning songs to play on the piano. Everyone who donates can nominate a song and he’s set himself the challenge of learning 100 over the next month.

Paces supports children and adults with Cerebral Palsy and motor disorders. A specialist in Conductive Education, it has been supporting individuals and families across Sheffield, Yorkshire and beyond since 1997. They teach children and adults vital skills such as sitting, standing, walking, communication and self-care.

The organisation has recently launched a major fundraising campaign to raise £3.5 million towards a new, state-of-the-art facility which will be a national centre for Conductive Education, allowing Paces to help more children and adults achieve the greatest level of independence they can through a range of supportive physical interventions.

The plans were unveiled shortly before the Coronavirus crisis began and, since then, fundraising has become even more difficult – a challenge faced by all charities.

Julie Booth, Head of Fundraising at Paces Sheffield, said: “We are extremely proud of Tobias and Lennie for taking on such huge challenges to support Paces. They are absolute stars.

“We launched our Capital Appeal just before Coronavirus took hold of the country and now we are more determined than ever to keep raising vital funds to ensure that our new home can be built so that we can continue to support even more children, adults and families.

“Tobias and Lennie, you are inspirations to us all and give us hope that we will build a new home for Paces so we can help you and children and adults like you in the future.”

You can visit Tobias and Lennie’s fundraising pages at www.pacessheffield.org.uk.