A READING charity had a special guest visit to celebrate its birthday.
Parenting Special Children welcomed HRH Sophie Countess of Wessex to an anniversary event on Wednesday, March 2.
The charity, founded in 2006, offers specialist support across Berkshire to families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, including families who foster and adopt.
Ruth Pearse, Parenting Special Children’s founder and CEO said: “Thank you to HRH The Countess of Wessex for joining us to celebrate our 15th anniversary, it was an honour and privilege to welcome you to meet our families.
“ I will remember the pure delight on the children’s faces for a long time to come, especially my daughter presenting your gift, special memories to treasure forever.”
Ms Pearse founded the charity after identifying an unmet need whilst receiving a diagnosis for her daughter.
At the time she found there was a lack of support and very few specialist programmes that families could access which would help them learn more about the diagnosis their child or young person had received.
Since its inception, the charity has supported more than 10,000 families with courses, workshops and clinics, informed and influenced by the families who have attended them.
Following the event, Tess Eagles, partnership manager and neurodiverse children/young people’s lead at the charity, said: “This will be a highlight of the year.
“The event was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the fantastic work undertaken by the charity in the last 15 years and also to look forward to the next 15 years, made more memorable by a royal visit.”
The Countess of Wessex took part in games of Uno with the children who also enjoyed colouring activities and making a mosaic.
Other guests included Parenting Special Children’s past and present staff team, trustees,, parent carers, volunteers and supporters including the mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden and deputy mayor, Cllr Ayo Sokale.
For more information on Parenting Special Children visit: parentingspecialchildren.co.uk
