OVER the past year, the Mary Budding Trust has continued its great work in the area for children under eleven with special educational needs. In the academic year 2006/2007 the trust has paid out more than £7,500 towards the support of children. Tavistock Community Primary School was the largest recipient, using its grant to buy equipment for a new multi-sensory room. The room includes a plethora of engaging and imaginative equipment, including interactive bubble columns, fibre optic equipment, globe lamps, interactive whirlpools and moving picture projectors. The trustees gave financial support to a school in the Okehampton area for the first time, providing £1,000 to buy books and equipment. A further £500 was provided to the West Devon Home-Start group to support their spring and summer workshops with the purchase of display boards, early years books, learning toys, changing mats and art and craft materials. The trust?s focus this year will be to raise more money through fundraising which was not prolific through 2006/2007. The trustees are, however, especially grateful to Mr Nelson who donates £1 for every Christmas tree he sells outside Morrison?s. Chairman of the trust Anthony Wates said: ?The work we are doing is really helping the children in the local communities. ?As chairman, I am most grateful to the trustees who diligently and sensitively undertake the work of the trust in their support of children living in the area serviced by West Devon Borough Council or in the vicinity of Tavistock.?
