New equipment and tools have been purchased using money raised in memory of a man with learning disabilities who sadly passed away earlier this year.
Seb Marriott organised a fundraising effort in tribute to his uncle, Nigel, who sadly passed away in April this year after contracting COVID-19. Seb joined forces with other family members and friends to raise £2,000 for two beneficiaries, including national learning disability charity, Hft.
Nigel spent nearly six years at a supported-living service run by Hft, in St Austell. With his birthday only a few weeks away, Nigel’s family decided to raise money in his memory for two causes that were a big part of his life - COAST, a community-based course run by Hft, and Creative Workshop, an independently-run day opportunities service for people with learning disabilities based in Par.
After sharing information about their fundraising appeal on social media, the family was delighted to receive a big response from the community, who donated as a ‘birthday present’ in Nigel’s memory. In total, £2,000 was raised, which was split equally between the two causes.
Funds donated to COAST are set to be used to buy new IT equipment for the service, as well as some new exercise equipment and gardening tools. The community course, which currently supports nine people with learning disabilities, aims to build life skills, confidence and self-esteem, and support people to get the most out of their local area.
Sue Chapman, Hft’s Operations Manager in Cornwall, said: “Nigel was a huge part of all of our lives here at Hft Cornwall. He made us all happy and will be missed for so many reasons. Nigel was a much-loved member of COAST and his loss is still felt by members of the group, who have worked together to support each other through this very sad time and have worked on projects in his memory to help them through the grieving process.
“Thanks to this incredible donation from Nigel’s family, we’ll be keeping his memory alive at COAST through the many new activities these funds will enable us to facilitate. We’re so grateful.”
A spokesperson for staff at Creative Workshop, said: “Thanks to the very generous donation in memory of Nigel, we were able to erect a lean-to in our yard to increase our outside activities, which has been very much needed in these difficult times. Nigel is very much missed by us all here at the workshop and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Nigel's family for their generosity.”
