Pictured: Heather Ramsden, of Pertemps People Development
Group, meets Tom Hopwood at the National Institute of Conductive
Education
A father whose young son suffers from cerebral palsy has
invented a new board game which he hopes will raise much-needed
funds for the charity that helps hundreds cope with the
disorder.
Games designer Andy Hopwood hopes his card game called Niche
will raise £2,000 for the National Institute of Conductive
Education (NICE) in Moseley, Birmingham, which supports people with
neurological movement disorders. Andy's 10-year-old son Tom has
cerebral palsy, epilepsy and learning difficulties and attends
NICE.
He said: "I hope that if all the Niche games are sold we can
raise something in the region of £2000. Personally I am
indebted to the charity as my son Tom regularly attends NICE. This
has given me the motivation to actually publish a game which then
led to me publishing more and starting my own games business."
As a result of Andy's efforts, the charity has also received a
donation of £350 from generous workers at Birmingham
employment and training experts Pertemps People Development Group
(PPDG). It was nominated by PPDG employee Heather Ramsden for
support through the company's successful Give As You Earn (GAYE)
scheme.
Heather, who is continuous improvement assistant at PPDG's
Westbourne Manor offices in Birmingham, said: "I met Andy through
our board gaming group called Afternoon Play. I am so pleased PPDG
has agreed to support the charity through the GAYE scheme as they
work with dyspraxic adults. Dyspraxia is a co-ordination and
organization disorder. I am dyspraxic and didn't receive any formal
support until I was 21. It is great to know there is a charity out
there which can help people who are suffering with dyspraxia and
other similar conditions."
Wendy Baker, director of children's services at The Foundation
for Conductive Education, said: "The children attending Red Boots
Children's Services at the National Institute of Conductive
Education (NICE) are delighted to have received new communication
equipment funded by PPDG through the company's GAYE scheme.
"Children with cerebral palsy often have communication
difficulties as part of their condition and toys which motivate
children to communicate are very valuable. The toys that have been
donated by PPDG will make a real difference to the children's
enjoyment of their work at NICE. The charity always welcomes
donations such as this and we would like to thank everyone at PPDG
for their generous donation."
Every year thousands of children and adults are diagnosed with a
motor disorder such as cerebral palsy and dyspraxia in children and
Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, stroke and cerebral palsy in
adults. During 2011 nearly 1,000 children and adults will go to
NICE for support.
Andy's card game Niche costs £5.75 with a minimum of
£1 going to the charity. To buy the game or to contact Andy
visit www.hopwoodgames.co.uk
PPDG operates a GAYE scheme which each year donates thousands of
pounds to charities and other good causes. Employees make a
donation to the scheme each month. PPDG's total donations to
charities and good causes through its award winning payroll-giving
scheme recently broke the £150,000 barrier. Around two thirds
of employees are involved in payroll deductions that benefit others
less fortunate in the community.
For more information about Pertemps People Development Group,
please visit their website here: www.ppdg.co.uk