The Percy Hedley Foundation A charity which empowers people with disabilities and their families.
Why was the charity founded?
In the 1950s, it was thought that no more could be done for children with Cerebral Palsy beyond what was already being done and they couldn’t access school education, which is hard to believe today. So, Molly and Stephen Darke, along with other parents, made it their mission to help their children realise their full potential and live life to the full.
Because of their passion and commitment, the Percy Hedley Foundation was founded in 1953 as a special school for children with Cerebral Palsy. When the first school opened there were only 12 students, Molly and Stephen Darke’s son among them.
Which area do you cover?
We’re a North-East Charity, based in Newcastle and North Tyneside offering our specialist services from two schools, a college, lifelong learning for adults and four residential homes for adults.
What type of fundraising events do you have?
This year we are celebrating turning 70! The Percy Hedley Ball happens every year, each with a different theme in mind, for example, this year’s theme is our Birthday, whilst 2021’s theme was the 1920s.
We offer a range of events throughout the year, including the Great North Run in September. During 2023, we’ve got some exciting activities planned such as an exhibition looking at our history and Paint the Toon Purple in May.
What have been your proudest moments so far?
During the last 70 years we’ve delivered over 30 million hours of specialist education, learning, care, therapy, nursing and support. During that time, we’ve seen empowered people to break down barriers, from starting one of the first special schools in the country, to creating work inclusive work opportunities and being involved in the launch and development of disability support.
Last year, we teamed up with Northumbria Police to launch the UK’s first Volunteer Police Cadet scheme for students with disabilities.
Eight of our students at Hedley’s College had their ceremony where they were officially sworn in as the first-ever to join Volunteer Police Cadets Scheme for those with special needs.
The partnership has also been nominated at the 2023 British Diversity Awards for Community Project of the Year.
What are you currently working on?
In celebration of our 70th Birthday, The Percy Hedley Foundation is launching the Percy Pledge.
Every day we empower people to live as independently as possible and reach their full potential. In 2022, we delivered 1.2million hours of special education, lifelong learning, therapy, and care.
As a charity, we rely on fundraising to make sure that the people at Percy Hedley have the best opportunities, to give them the confidence and skills so they can live life to the full.
In 2023, through The Percy Pledge we are looking for 70,000 supporters to donate £7 and continue to support us with the amazing work we deliver every year across the North East.
Donations are used to fund specialist facilities and enhance the resources, equipment and experiences that enable the people we support to flourish during their time with us.
What does the future hold?
This year, we celebrate 70 years of empowering people. It is estimated that there are 1.5 million people in the UK with learning disabilities so demand for our services continues to grow. Between 2021-2022 we supported 584 people with disabilities and spent 1.2 million hours providing special education, lifelong learning, therapy and care. With help from our supporters, we want to continue to support more people with disabilities and their families, empowering them to be their best selves.