This inspirational charity supports children and young adults with cerebral palsy

By Ellise Hollie Hayward, 21, Disabilities Correspondent, Jill Dando News

This may be the first time you’ve heard of them, but the history of Cheyne Charity dates back to 1889.

This was when the Cheyne Hospital in London opened.
Known as ‘The Little Hospital by the River’, care was provided for disabled children, although cerebral palsy wasn’t identified until after WWII.

Although the original site has since closed, Cheyne continues to provide help to children and young adults with cerebral palsy.

They do this mainly in the form of grants to individuals, and to organisations that provide supportive services. 

Their aim is to enable greater independence and inclusion, by providing specialist equipment, therapy and electronic devices such as communication aids.
For example, Cheyne has been supporting Isla with physiotherapy, to enable her to build her core strength. Isla’s Mum told us;

“Isla’s core strength has improved, being able to sit unsupported for short periods of time, to weight bare and kneel in high kneeling position. We have seen a huge transformation thanks to your funding for therapy.”  

Cheyne has also supported young athletes on their way to amazing achievements, such as Joshua Johns. Joshua achieved an ITF Junior Singles Ranking of No.2, won the US Open Junior Doubles and won the Junior World Team Cup with Team GB last year.

“I have never let my CP hold me back and have actively played sport since I was 5 years old (Wheelchair Tennis since I was 11). Just like many other children I have had dreams of playing sport to the highest level, living with a disability does not change that. Quite simply without the support of great organisations like the Cheyne Charity reaching those goals would not be possible. I am so incredibly grateful you choose to believe in me.”

Cheyne also supports other charities like Designability, creators of Wizzybugs. Their loan scheme provides innovative powered wheelchairs, free of charge, to young physically disabled children in the UK. Children use Wizzybugs at home and at pre-school, and in outdoor spaces such as parks, gardens and playgrounds.

In 2024, Cheyne plans to increase awareness of the charity, so it can reach and support more children and young adults with cerebral palsy, across the country. For more information or to apply for a grant for support, please visit our website: https://www.cheynecharity.org

You can follow Isla @littlemissislathesmiler

And follow Joshua: @joshuajohnswheelchairtennis     https://www.facebook.com/joshuajohnswheelchairtennis/

Ellise became Disability Correspondent for Jill Dando News last July after delivering a superb talk to Priory Community School Academy – part of The Priory Learning Trust – last July.

For more stories from Ellise and Jill Dando News click: http://www.goodnewspost.co.uk