Kenilworth event boosts appeal for disabled children

NCH, the children’s charity
News release

For immediate release: Monday 14 November 2005

Kenilworth event boosts appeal for disabled children

A Kenilworth-based centre for disabled children and young people run by children’s charity NCH is benefiting from the generosity of Finnegan’s Trust, the charity set up to remember Denis Finnegan who was brutally murdered whilst riding his bike in Richmond Park in September 2004 by a man recently released from a London mental health institution.

NCH has received a donation of £1600, raised by Finnegan’s Trust at a Sporting Club Dinner held at Kenilworth’s Chesford Grange in September. The event was hosted by the Sporting Club Group of Great Britain, run by former England and British Lions rugby international David Trick.

Funds were raised through sales of Denis Finnegan’s book ‘Denis Rides Out’. Guests purchasing the book received raffle tickets with prizes ranging from a case of wine donated by local company Bablake Wine to a week in a luxury apartment in the French Alps.

The generous donation boosts NCH’s West Midlands Disability Appeal, a drive to raise £250,000 that will benefit over 1300 disabled children including at Kenilworth’s John Waterhouse Project, which provides residential short breaks for young people aged 5-18 with severe learning or multiple disabilities.

"We are very grateful for this fantastic support. Our work at the John Waterhouse Project makes a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children, young people and their families," said Claire Morris, NCH Regional Fundraising Manager.

"We are pleased to support NCH in this way. It is a tremendously worthwhile cause. Denis would be pleased that funds from his book are helping those who are not so fortunate," said Mike Quinn of Finnegan’s Trust.

People wanting to donate or support NCH should call 0121 321 5180, or write to ‘Disability Appeal’, NCH, 8 Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B72 1TJ. Please make cheques payable to NCH.

The book ‘Denis Rides Out’ records Denis Finnegan’s travels in the USA, Australia and New Zealand in 2003. All profits from this book go to children’s charities. It is available from Finnegan’s Trust for £5.00 + £2.00 post and packaging per book from Finnegan’s Trust, 3 The Courtyard, Bridge End, Warwick, CV34 6PD. Please make cheques payable to Finnegan’s Trust.

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Photo opportunity details
What: Finnegan’s Trust present donation to NCH. Local children and NCH mascot Cedric the Dragon present.
When: Friday 18 November 2005, 4.30pm
Where: NCH John Waterhouse Project, 87 Rouncil Lane, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 1FN.
Who: Contact Richard Bunting, NCH West Midlands media relations, 01629 734616; mobile 07753 499146; richardgbunting@aol.com

Notes to editors
1. Michael Quinn, Finnegan’s Trust, can be contacted on 01926 409325 or mobile 07831 096266. www.finneganstrust.com
2. For information on Sporting Club Group of Great Britain visit www.sportingclubgroup.com
3. NCH, formerly National Children’s Homes, runs over 500 projects for the UK's most vulnerable children, young people and their families and supports over 140,000 people. www.nch.org.uk.