The Rainbow Centre

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Welcome to the Rainbow Centre

Specialists in conductive education helping children with Cerebral Palsy throughout the South of England.

Latest news, events, donations and things that don't fit on other pages!

Memorable Evening at the 18th Birthday Masquerade Ball

On June 21st, the Rainbow Centre celebrated its 18th Birthday with a Masquerade Ball at Quindells Golf and Country Park at Whiteley, Fareham. Almost 200 guests were entertained by Parsons and Parsons, Tom Canning as Tom Jones and Neil Diamond and Mike OSman who compered the evening.

Photographs of the evening by PostArt CreativePhotography can be seen by following this link ...

Mike Osman

Parsons & Parsons

Captivating Evening brings in £13,000

Autistic genius Derek Paravacini played to an audience of over 200 at a black-tie charity concert held at the home of Rainbow Patrons - Allan & Lyndsay Chamberlain. Kate Somerset How, daughter of Rainbow co-founder Helen also sang during the concert, accompanied by Derek.

Derek and Kate

Derek, blind since birth and with severe learning difficulties, is a musical savant and can recall and play thousands of pieces of music from memory. He is mentored by Professor Adam Ockelford of Roehampton University, who was the first to recognise Derek's extraordinary talent.

Kate recently appeared in the finals of "Grease is the Word" on ITV.

The evening was compered by Andrew McVittee from the Kaleidoscope Orchestra.

The programme included jazz, classics, pop and songs from musicals old and new.

Derek has been the subject of several recent television documentaries many of which can be viewed on "YouTube".

Marathon - Latest update (June 2008)

To date, our Flora London Marathon runners have raised £15,725 with more to come. Well done and thanks to all of them.

Richard Welch dives in the deep end

Richard contacted us to advise us that he would be raising funds for the protection of Sharks by diving with them at Brighton. He also wanted The Rainbow Centre to benefit from his experience.

Richard's dive took place under a controlled environment within Brighton Sea-Life Centre. Neither feeding nor touching of these wonderful creatures were allowed, just the pleasure of being allowed to join them in their wonderful underwater world. Further pictures and video footage can be seen from his website at www.richards-world.co.uk.

Thank you Richard for your support!

Tee Time for Rainbow Children - 22 April 2008

The sun shone this week for 11 teams who teed-off in the Rainbow Golf Day - "18 Holes for 18 Years" ( the Rainbow Centre Celebrates its 18th Birthday this year).
Sponsored by Hendy Mazda, the teams played at the Marriott Meon Valley Golf and Country Club, enjoying the first warm weather of the season.

The Golf Day is just one of several birthday events planned for this year. The next is a concert by musical savant, Derek Paravacini who is performing with Kate Somerset How on May 17th. This is closely followed by the Masquerade Ball in June.

For more details contact Julie on 01329 289500

Team members practising before the start

Hendy Mazda manager Frank Thow - said "It was a brilliant day that our Hendy Mazda team thoroughly enjoyed and the feelgood factor was strengthened knowing we were supporting such a great cause".

A Hendy Mazda team member on the 14th

The Mazda car waiting to be won for a "Hole-in-one" on the 14th

The golf day ended with a charity dinner, compered by local celebrity Shep Woolley. Shep's humour helped the raffle and auction raise almost £1000 on the night!
Julie Woodward, fundraiser at the Rainbow Centre said "We were thrilled to have raised almost £4000 from this event and must thank Hendy Mazda, our main sponsor for their support. We are also grateful to Legal & General and Natwest Bank for supplying some of the competition prizes".

Julie

Shep & Helen

Flora London Marathon 2008
On a cold, rainy day (good for the runners, bad for the spectators), - the following people ran for the Rainbow Centre and expect to raise over £12,000 for us.
	Mark Jones Lee Jones Derek Powles Simon Grant Pauline Robinson Neil May Nick Forsythe Andrew Jest Paul Brooks	4:32:40 4:32:40 3:30:33 3:26:36 4:53:35 4:18:31 4:11:23 3:54:44 3:36:09
Our thanks to all of them - especially for the hours of training they put in!

Spring arrives for Camomile

Children planting

When The Rainbow Centre constructed their Wild Garden (funded by BBC Breathing Places Big Lottery scheme, the Bruce Wake Charitable Trust and Hampshire County Council) last autumn it was the wrong season to plant out the camomile lawn. This week the charity completed the garden by holding an open day for volunteers to help plant out 700 camomile plants.

Those involved in the final phase of this wonderful garden project included children from The Rainbow Centre, Redlands Lane and Wallisdean primary schools, employees from the local branch of Barclays Bank and staff from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. They also erected nesting and bat boxes and information signs about the garden. One nesting box even contains a webcam. It is hoped that the local school children and the volunteers will stay involved with the garden; the children being able to observe the changes in the garden and nesting boxes and the adults will enjoy visiting and hopefully help with its upkeep.

Helen Somerset-How, the Centre's Development Director and Co-Founder said "It was really lovely to have our own Rainbow Centre children as well as the local school children and volunteers taking part in creating something that the community as well as The Rainbow Centre can be proud of and enjoy for many years to come. We also have to say a big thank you to the team from Barclays and our community volunteers because it couldn't have happened without their hard work in preparing the ground and doing the lion's share of the planting".

Also present at the open day was a representative from the BBC Breathing Places scheme and the garden's designer, Sarah Wheeldon, who has recently received the accolade of The Daily Telegraph Young Garden Designer of the Year. Sarah planned the whole garden from a piece of very rough ground and has been involved from the outset. She said "It's wonderful to see how well the garden has settled in since it was planted some eight months ago. The bulbs are all shooting up and the camomile lawn will put the finishing touch. It's been so rewarding to be involved with such a worth-while project"

Sarah

Bikers ride out with eggs for The Rainbow Centre Children

In the run up to Easter 2008, members the Royal Navy Motor Cycle Club (RNMCC) once again took to their bikes with Easter eggs to put the smile on the faces of disabled children.

After collecting the eggs from the Portsmouth branch of the RNMCC one of their first stops was to deliver to children from The Rainbow Centre in Fareham.
Twenty five riders visited several sick and disabled children's locations to brighten up their Easter by delivering the mountain of chocolate they had collected. Staff at Flagship's headquarters had generously donated over £250 worth of eggs and money including £50 from Flagship itself to boost the collection.

Julie Woodward, Community Fundraiser at The Rainbow Centre said, "It was brilliant to see the children's faces when the eggs arrived on motor bikes. I'm not sure what they liked best the bikes or the eggs! We can't thank Flagship staff enough for their generosity and once again making this such a worthwhile visit."
Adi Lavin from Flagship's International Projects and RNMCC rider said, "We've been doing this for 25 years and it doesn't get any easier to do these visits but it's great to make the children smile and give them something to enjoy."

Garden Centre Customers dig deep to raise money for the Rainbow Centre
Garsons Garden Centre, in Titchfield, raised over £1,100 for children's charity the Rainbow Centre over the last few months by having a Christmas customer collection and donating unwanted stock. Generous customers dug deep to raise money for our charity and raised over £600 during the christmas period with their Santa Band collection.
	Alan Richardson, Garsons Garden Centre manager, said; "It's fantastic that customers delved into their own pockets to help such a worthy charity. The Centre does so many great things for the children that attend and it is a cause that is very close to my heart."
The modern garden centre, which houses a garden and furniture department as well as a farm shop, boosted the money raised with an extra £500 by donating unwanted Christmas decorations which the Centre were able to sell to their supporters. "It's lovely that Garsons decided to have a collection for us and it's fantastic they are providing us with their unwanted stock which enables us to raise even more funds for the Centre," said Julie Woodward at the Rainbow Centre. "We really appreciate their continuing support, as it will help a number of children improve their skills and become more independent through the services we provide."

Rainbow Dinner Dance a Great Success
Friday November 30th was the night of the Rainbow Dinner Dance at HMS Collingwood. 150 Rainbow Friends and their guests enjoyed a "Rat-Pack" themed evening. Compere for the night was comedian Mike Osman, and entertainment was provided by singers Steve Perry and Kate Somerset How.
Dinner games raised additional money for the centre as did Mike's auction during which a day's crusing for 10 on an ocean-going yacht raised over £1000.	Julie displaying the "Yacht Cruise" prize

Mike Osman

Kate Somerset How

Steve Perry

Guests enjoying the dancing

Helen with son Tom - the original Rainbow Child!

Click here ... for a full list of Raffle Prizewinners (opens in a new window)

Carol's at the Kings
On December 2nd, the annual "Carols at the Kings" Christmas Celebration choose the Rainbow Centre as its supported charity. The concert is held by the Salvation Army Southsea Citadel.
The audience was treated to performances of Christmas Music by the Salvationist Musicians and St John's College School Choir, and a memorable Nativity Play by the children of Portsmouth High School Nursery , some of whom spent their time on stage industriously clearing away the theatrical snow!
	The evening closed with a visIt from Father Christmas and on-stage presentation of a cheque for over £1800 to Helen

Hampshire Hackers present proceeds of their Golf Day

On Thursday 29th November, Tommy, Mark, Brian and Yvonne from the Hampshire Hackers visited the Centre to present us with the final cheque of £4312.14 which together with gift aid amounts to a staggering £4609.84.

The Hackers have been supporting Rainbow for a number of years and have raised several thousands during this time! During their visit they watched our parent and child session and the nursery session where they learned a little more about conductive education and how it helps to improve the quality of life for the children.

We would like to thank all the members of the Hampshire Hackers Golf Society, the players who turned up at Cams to play on the charity golf day and all the sponsors and helpers ( the wags!) who helped make the day such a success. We are all looking forward to next year!!

Fareham Flower Club's Funky Christmas
Helen and Julie were invited to Ferneham Hallon Wednesday 28th November to join in Fareham Flower Club's Funky Christmas. This was a wonderful demonstration of different styles of flower arranging by Angela Turner. These ranged from funky to more traditional.
	Prior to the demonstration they were presented with a cheque for £1,000 which Fareham Flower Club had collected over the past year. One of the events they held was selling Mother's Day posies in Fareham precinct. Thank you to all the ladies from Fareham Flower Club for their fundraising efforts over the past year.

Old Ship Pub (Bursledon) - Golf Society Donation

On Friday 16th November Helen and Julie were invited to the Old Ship Golf Society end-of-year meeting. The Society had chosen The Rainbow Centre to receive a donation of £500 from funds raised throughout their golfing year. During the evening prizes were given out to members of the society and a raffle was held, when Helen was lucky enough to win a putter in a lovely presentation box which will be used as a raffle prize at one of our next events. We are very grateful to the Society for choosing us and for donating £500 towards the Centre's running costs.

Barclays pedal for Rainbow

Recently, staff from several local Barclays Bank branches cycled from Petersfield to Fareham, stopping off at 10 local branches of the bank on the way. They raised £353.27 which was matched by Barclays Bank to give a total of £706.54. Karen Mayer, Fareham Branch Manager accompanied by Matt (one of the cyclists) visited the centre on 30th October 2007 to present the cheque.

Karen Mayer and Matt (one of the cyclists) from Fareham branch with the children.

Julie went to Gosport to meet the riders and to cheer them on for the final 10 miles through Stubbington and Fareham. They were a bit saddle-sore when she met them, but determined to finish the ride. This is the latest of several events held by Barclays Bank, Fareham to raise funds for the Centre. Not only have they raised much needed funds, but through a poster of the Centre which is displayed in the Fareham Branch, a local family who were unaware of the existance of the Rainbow Centre have just visited with a view to their child starting sessions in the very near future.

At the end of the Rainbow ... it's Germany!
	Following the balloon release competition at the Garden Opening on 20th September 2007, the winner has been announced as Gordon Davies whose balloon was returned from Simmerath in Germany. Congratulations to Gordon who wins Dinner, Bed & Breakfast for two people at The Cloud Hotel in the New Forest kindly donated by Avril Owten of the Cloud Hotel
Other returns included: Shirley Kimber Kerschenbach, Germany David Tooke Laureing, Belgium Sam Cotton Ashford, Kent Liam Thomas Crowborough, East Sussex Shirley Knowles Haslemere, Surrey Lyndsay Chamberlain Denmead, Hampshire

National recognition for Magdi

On September 15, 2007, at a special award ceremony in London, Rainbow Centre Service Manager, Magdi Kovacs was presented with the "Special Needs Professional of the Year" award. The presentation event was at Parkstead House, part of Roehampton University. The award ceremony was organised by "EYE" (Early Years Educator) and Magdi's specific award was sponsored by Pensord Press.

Congratulations to Magdi for her achievement, and the additional recognition this brings to the Rainbow Centre!

Magdi with her award

Rainbow Garden Opening & unveiling of "Lion Bill"

More pictures ...

On Thursday 20 September 2007, in front of parents, children, staff and representative of the funders, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan J.P. declared the Garden of Rainbows open. The garden is full of specialist play equipment, linked with sensory flower beds. Other guests included the Mayor of Fareham - Cllr Katrina Trott, the Captain of HMS Collingwood - Commander Steve Kirby and representatives of many of the organisations who had provided funding. The garden was made possible by a Peoples' Millions Lottery grant, and Meridian TV were on hand to record the event for their news programmes.
Follow this link for the "Opening page..."

Two Days later at a separate ceremony "Lion Bill" was unveiled. Follow this link for "Lion Bill ..."

Work on the new garden is now complete

To see progress click here ...
What garden? click here ...

Big Lottery - Peoples Millions
You did it! You helped us towards completion of our Play Away Garden project. Thank you for your vote. More ...

Big Lottery - Breathing Places
We have already received funding for our other garden project Play Away WILD. More ...

Rainbow Centre Bradbury Building
Official Opening by Sally Taylor & Fred Dinenage - 7 October 2006. Details ...

OFSTED pay surprise visit
"Outstanding" again!
During the week leading up to the official opening of the Bradbury Building, OFSTED inspectors paid a surprise visit to the centre and carried out a 2-day inspection. Once again, Magdi and her team received "Outstanding" classifications in the five areas examined. This is the second occasion on which this level of excellence has been achieved.
See the latest Ofsted report (Oct 06)...

Did you know?
A recent survey reveals that 26% of adults are "very" or "fairly" likely to leave a gift to charity in their wills.
Public awareness has been raised by the recent "Everyone can leave the world a better place", press and TV campaign run by "Remember a Charity" www.rememberacharity.org.uk/ . See our legacy page if you would like to become one of the 26%.