<h1><strong>Volunteers step forward for Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity</strong></h1>
Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity in Cuckfield is looking for participants for its Arundel to Brighton (A2B) Walk in September.

Now in its sixth year, the A2B Walk is the biggest fundraising event of the year for the Children’s Charity, which supports under 5s with cerebral palsy and other motor learning disabilities.

Last year, the initiative raised £13,191.41 which went towards setting up a new outreach support service.

Pilar Cloud, Executive Manager said: “<em>This has been an exciting year for the Charity with a move to Cuckfield where we have been able to develop our services and are now able to offer our families additional weekly activities such as swimming sessions, music therapy, messy play and sensory sessions.  In 2018 we would like to help even more families from across the South East to be able to access our services and need your help to raise the funds to do this</em>. <em>By taking on the challenge of the A2B Walk you will be making a real difference to all the children and families who need our support.”</em>

The walk starts from Arundel Castle on Saturday 15<sup>th</sup> September and winds through the breathtaking scenery of the South Downs.  Participants can choose to take part in either a 12km or 35km trek.

The Children’s Charity, which moved to new premises in Cuckfield in 2016, has supported more than 500 families affected by cerebral palsy and associated motor disabilities since 2001.  Its early intervention service is based on the principles of Conductive Education.  Parents and children work together to improve a child’s physical, social and emotional skills, forming the bedrock of the independence they can achieve later in life.

Denise Green from Vega Europe, whose team took part in the walk last year, said: “<em>There was a real buzz as we all lined up to start the walk, with participants of all ages! A brilliant day, even with the challenging hills, with fabulous scenery and views which are right on our doorstep. A humbling experience and a great achievement from everybody involved</em>.”

The Charity has teamed up once again with Pied-A-Terre Adventures to organise the event and regular refreshment stops will be provided along the route.

Registration for the A2B Walk costs £36 for adults and £11 for a child. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and under 14’s are not permitted to undertake the 35km route. To register, visit <a href="http://www.patadventures.com">www.patadventures.com</a> and click on Challenges/Charity Challenges/A2B Walk.  If you would like further information please contact Carole Whorwood on 01444 473274 or email: <a href="mailto:carole.whorwood@dvlcc.org.uk">carole.whorwood@dvlcc.org.uk</a>  or visit <a href="http://www.dvlcc.org.uk">www.dvlcc.org.uk</a>

<strong>Notes to editors:</strong>
<ul>
 	<li>The Charity provides a specialist service for families with young children under the age of five who have cerebral palsy and other motor learning difficulties. Parents and children learn daily living skills together using the principles of conductive education.</li>
 	<li>The Charity receives no statutory funding. It relies entirely on the community to raise the money needed to ensure its services can continue.</li>
 	<li>The service is free to families at the point of access.</li>
 	<li>The Charity was formerly known as The Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy but changed its name in 2015 to give a clearer definition of its status.</li>
</ul>
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