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Newcastle students pass on their prize
Students from Newcastle College have donated their £150 prize money to the Alan Shearer Short Break Centre after winning a competition with their report on disability and accessibility.
Short Break Centre Manager, Carol Harrison is pictured with staff and students at the college when she visited to thank them in person and collect the cheque. Carol is returning the favour by inviting them to the Centre in the near future.
Free short breaks and activities announcement
delights Alan Shearer
St Cuthberts Care Chief Executive, Austin Donohoe made three important announcements at an event held at the Alan Shearer Activity Centre on Monday, 4 April.
New patrons - Alan Shearer, his wife, Lainya and former SCS Chairman, Mike Browne - joined Austin as he revealed details of the charity’s plans to give away free overnight stays at the Alan Shearer Short Break Centre. Speaking to the gathered guests and media, Austin said,
“Respite care is something carers cannot do without and some could be pushed to breaking point if access to respite care is reduced or taken away. We couldn’t stand by and let that happen. As a charity we are able to take action and have chosen to lend our support by offering these free short breaks.”
In addition to the short break give-away, Austin also announced that the Alan Shearer Activity Centre was now free, making the centre and its unique facilities, designed specifically for disabled adults and children, readily available to everyone.
Finally, it was revealed that everyone at St Cuthberts Care were delighted to have secured an eminent list of patrons. Joining Lainya and Alan Shearer and Mike Browne are Lady Elsie Robson and Ant McPartlin who joins his showbusiness partner, Dec on the board of patrons.
Following the announcements, Alan Shearer described his pride in the centre and his delight that it was providing such a valuable service.
“I can’t tell you the satisfaction I get out of driving along the A69 and seeing a sign for the Alan Shearer Centre. I’m told nearly 700 or 800 people use this place a week, so to see my name above that door and to come in here and see the kids that are using it and the satisfaction that they get out of it and putting smiles on their faces, I can’t tell you what that does for me.”
Pupils and teachers from five local schools – all regular users of the centre - were also at the event and seven year old Bobbi Watson from Thomas Bewick School presented Lainya Shearer with a bouquet.
The event wound up with a tour of the centre, including the new Music Room and Craft Room, and media interviews with Alan Shearer.
Chris doesn't keep us in suspense
TV personality Chris Tarrant is well known for building up the tension on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire", but he didn't keep us in suspense when he came to hand over a new minibus for the Alan Shearer Centre.
We were delighted to be offered the specially adapted bus by the Lady Taverners - part of the famous Lord's Taverners charity which raises funds to buy sports and recreational equipment for people with disabilities and special needs.
Chris, and Lady Taverner Louise Robson, presented the new bus to Short Break Centre Manager, Carol Harrison at the Marriot Gosforth Park in Newcastle, where the Lady Taverners were holding a "MIllionaire" style Quiz Night.
Joining Carol for the official hand-over were Centre regulars Brad, Rebecca and Sean with carer Julie.
The bus will be based at the Alan Shearer Centre in Newcastle and will be shared by the Short Break Centre and the Activity Centre. It will provide guests with transport to and from schools and allow us to offer even more days out to local attractions, events and shops.
New sensory unit proves a big hit with guests
A generous donation by regulars of Sam Jack's Bar in Newcastle has provided us with a very popular new facility.
The mobile sensory unit incorporates a bubble tube and colour changing fibre optic strands and can project moving, changing Images onto the walls of any bedroom. It also has audio output for guests' own choice of music or sound effects and an aromatherapy unit to fill the room with relaxing or stimulating scents to suit their mood.
Centre Manager, Carol Harrison, said the unit had been in almost constant use since its installation and had even been in demand with guests who had not been expected to use it.
The Activity Centre on the ground floor is always available to guests, but the new mobile unit is ideal for those with mobility difficulties or when the downstairs facilities are in use.
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