Birthday ball raises £6,000 for charity

A THORNBURY charity that helps children and young people with additional needs or disabilities, and their families, has been given a big boost by supporters.

JIGSAW Thornbury celebrated its 10th birthday with a fundraising ball at the Grange Hotel in March.

On the night more than £6,000 was raised from ticket sales, sponsorship, donations and a fundraising auction and raffle, which the charity said beat all expectations.

Chief executive Hattie Clayton said: "It's a huge amount of money which will have a big impact for all the families the charity works with in the local community.

"We'd like to say a massive thank you to everyone that supported this event to make our 10th Birthday Fundraising Ball a truly special occasion.

"Our birthday is much more than a 10 year milestone.

"It is a celebration of the impact we have had for over 850 families who have been members of JIGSAW over that time; a celebration of how we have helped them to join in, grow support for their families, raise awareness about their needs, and improve their well-being.”

The charity says its vision is that all children and young people with additional needs or disabilities are "empowered to connect, fit in, and thrive".

It works with young people up to the age of 25 years, with or without a diagnosis, providing "friendship, support, compassion, and fun, along with innovative services for the whole family".

Posters were displayed at the ball featuring the key events in JIGSAW Thornbury’s history, from starting out as a support group in a church hall to offering 17 different services for member families, including support groups, youth club, fun holiday activities, well-being events, and training and awareness sessions.

The display is now at Thornbury Library until April 12 and a window display has also been made for the charity’s base in the St Mary Centre.

A film was created and premiered at the ball showing the impact of the charity's help on a young autistic person.

It can be viewed on the charity's website, www. jigsawthornbury.org.uk, where more details of its services and how to donate to its latest fundraising campaign can be found.

Hattie added: "This impact didn’t just happen by chance. There are lots of people to thank who have been a vital part of our 10 year story."

These included the charity's trustees, founder Tor Goodman, staff, volunteers, funders and member families.