Glyne Gap school receives £1,000 donation
The masquerade ball, held at Bexhill's Bell Hotel, was the idea of owner Ashan Jeeawon who decided to host the fund raising event after hearing that the Skylark class, which is for children aged 5 - 8 years, who have profound learning difficulties, needed to raise 5,000 to buy additional equipment for the classes 'sensory corner'.
He said: "At first I wasn't sure what to do that would help the school to raise the money, and then I had the idea for the ball."
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Hide AdAshan, who was due to celebrate his 30th birthday, and his sister's mother-in-law '“ Theresa Freeman - was about to celebrate her 50th,, decided that a masquerade ball would be the perfect opportunity for a double birthday celebration; and by making it a ticketed event was able to raise the much needed funds.
Ashan, who hopes to continue to support the school in the future, said the evening had been a great success. He said: "There were one hundred and eighty family, friends and customers. Everybody dressed up in costumes and tuxedos. It was a wonderful evening and I'm glad we have been able to help the class buy some of the equipment they need. "
Receiving the cheque on behalf of the school was Skylark class teacher Frances Hall.
She explained that the 'sensory corner' - which includes a colour changing fibre optic spray, which provides a stimulating spray of light - initially cost seven thousand pounds to set up and helps the pupils by enhancing the children's learning, providing visual stimulation, exercise, massage, and relaxation.
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Hide AdShe said: "The first thing we will buy with the money is a DVD player but most of the equipment, especially fibre optics, is very expensive and, we are very grateful to Ashan and everyone who has contributed to helping us provide this vital equipment."
She added::"It's fantastic and so brilliant that people like Ashan will do things like this for us as the equipment is very expensive '“ we are very grateful for the donation."