The Essex County Standard Anniversary Appeal

Structured timetable - head Kathy Cranmer with some of the pupils. (49371-a)

The Essex Autistic Society, which runs Doucecroft School, is the Essex County Standard’s anniversary charity.
We have launched an appeal to help the society purchase some of the special bikes and trikes for the children at the school, and also to buy other equipment needed to help in its work with children and adults affected by autism.
To make a donation, send your cheques to Essex Autistic Society Appeal, c/o Essex County Standard, Oriel House, 43-44 North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1TZ.

More about Doucecroft School

Doucecroft School at Eight Ash Green, run by the Essex Autistic Society, moved from its old site in Kelvedon last year and opened its doors to pupils in September.
It has been created on a former farm, incorporating some of the old buildings, including a converted barn and cart shed, as well as new buildings.
Since opening the number of pupils on its roll has grown from 19 to 25, with two more about to join.
The school will be able to take up to 64 pupils from all over East Anglia and further afield. At the moment a few of the children come from London and Surrey.
Doucecroft caters for youngsters, mainly boys, affected by autism from the age of three up to 16. Most are boarders, returning home at weekends - even those from the Colchester area.
Because the autism affects each individual differently some of the pupils will be able to live virtually a normal life with the right support, while others will always be more dependant.

Tranquil scene - fundraiser Anna Trovell and governor Janet Barker in the grounds of Doucecroft School. Pictures: SEANA HUGHES (49371-b)

To help equip their students for the rigours of family life, the school has a number of special classrooms to help teach life skills, including a design and technology room, sensory room and swimming pool.
The buildings which form the school are at the centre of the complex. Nearby are three boarding houses where the children live during the week.
Although it is a new school, that has not meant an end to fundraising. Parents have raised about £48,000 to have a play area paved. Now their attention has turned to getting the money needed to put down an all-weather surface on the area in front of the boarding houses.
It will cost £16,000 to do the work and the final instalment has now come in.
The school also wants to buy some more of the special bikes the children use. They are sturdier than normal bikes, and some can accommodate a passenger standing on the back. The bikes start from about £200 and ideally the school would like to be able to get six.