The Toby Henderson Trust
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Just text DAHL55£1 to 70070 to help raise the facebook community of The Roald Dahl Fan Club raise money all this week (5th to 12th March 2012) for The Toby Henderson Trust. Spread the word to all of your friends ! Thank you.

Oh and The Toby Henderson Trust is now on facebook too - find us and "like" us.

we are delighted to announce the puchase of our new 3 bed, 8 berth caravan at Cresswell Towers. We are offering heavily subsidised short breaks to familes affected by autsim. Ring for more details and to be sent a flyer about the fantatsic facilities.

A Nightmare before Christmas

As for most charities, Christmas is a really busy time of year – and even more so this year for one of the North East’s most charismatic childrens charities , The Toby Henderson Trust, who work tirelessly with children who have autism spectrum disorders in our region.

The trust receives no government funding and relies heavily upon their own busy fundraising calendar, culminating at this time of year with their biggest annual event, their Ladies Night which is held every year in the Grandstand Suite of The Gosforth Park Marriott Hotel., which is attended by over 350 ladies every year.

The trust was flooded with calls the day after the event (this year with a “Diamond Divas” theme) saying how successful everyone hoped the evening had been and Project Director” Lesley Henderson, 52 of Widdrington in Northumberland admits “2010 Ladies Night was an absolute storming success – the entertainment was wonderful, our exhibitors were first class, the meal was superb and not least of all – our lady guests were incredibly generous in support of the trust.”

She further adds – “No one can begin to understand how we now feel to have had our grand draw takings stolen from the venue – it just overshadowed the  immense enjoyment of the evening and its clear fundraising success.”

Accounts Manager at the trust, Mary Owen, says “There would have been at least  £1,100 in the raffle drum on the night – which is an exceptionally large amount for us to lose as we are a relatively small organisation. It is such a blow.”

Police say the Gosforth Park is open to the public and anyone could have called in to the hotel, seen a large charity function was taking place and made plans to take advantage.

The trust have had to make emergency plans to try and recoup their loss - Graphic Designers 247 Graphics (www.247graphics.co.uk) have designed a fundraising mailshot for a “Make a Difference Christmas Menu” for the trust – printing is being donated by Ravensworth Digital (01670 713330) and  the trust will send out this Christmas appeal to all supporters to try and raise the thousand pounds in donations they have lost.

“KINDNESS IS A LANGAUGE WE ALL KNOW TO SPEAK” is the message on the trust’s Christmas menu appeal – “it’s just such a sorry shame not all of us speak the same language” says Lesley at the trust – “our lady guests all willingly gave their money to support us in the draw – how terrible that someone has taken it upon themselves to spoil these acts of kindness.”

Click here to download a PDF copy of The Toby Henderson Trust Make a Difference Christmas Menu appeal or contact the centre on 01670 789753.

Further info from The Toby Henderson Trust is available by contacting Lesley Henderson on 01670 789753 or email lesley.henderson@ttht.co.uk

We all recognise that when we are facing challenges in our lives it often seems as though there is little to help and support us between "advice" (family, friends, professionals) on the one hand and "treatment" on the other hand (counselling, therapy, medication etc.)

However, there is a middle ground that often lies dormant within us, in our own innate knowledge of ourselves and of what is needed- sometimes we just need help to re-awaken this and use to it help us deal with our anxieties and stresses. Come along on Weds 28th April to the centre to join a workshop which will explore a planned 10 week evening course designed at supporting our Emotional Wellbeing. Ring Lesley on 01670 789753 to book your place(s).

Ross gets Tattoo for TTHT! Read this article and watch the accompanying video at the News Post Leader website.

In partnership with Northumberland's Community Nursing Team and backed by research being undertaken by the University of York, we are pleased to announce a programme of 4 sessions to address the challenging behaviour you may be experiencing due to your autistic child / young adult's SLEEP PROBLEMS. Practical, workable advice and programmes of intervention will be explored, offered and tailored to your child's individual needs. Only 10 places available - session dates are to be advised but will most likely be fortinghtly from October from 9.30 am to 12.30pm.

RING AND SPEAK TO LESLEY ON 01670 789753 TO INDICATE YOUR INTEREST IN ATTENDING>

Warmest Christmas wishes are extended to all of our familes and supporters who have helped, contributed and generally "been there for us" throughout this year.

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and here's looking forward to health and happiness in 2009.

We have just made our application for our 25 guaranteed places in next years Great North Run. If you would like to make an application to take up one of these places - please ring Lesley at the centre. We are now registered with the Just Giving site which takes the pain and stress out of collecting sponsorship - Please, please go to the just giving website and look at the pages of some of our last years runners and see how effective it can be.

We also have 25 places to take part in a sponsored abseil down Segedunum Tower on Sunday 10th May next year - you can use Just Giving for this too - and just for a bit of added fun the organisers are suggesting fancy dress (Roman soldiers I suspect would be topical!) To take up a place and help us raise some much needed funding - contact Lesley on 01670 789753. Thank you.

Over 25 families and their friends joined us on Sunday 22nd June to take part in the STEP UP and picnic at Carlisle Park in Morpeth - the weather was surprisingly good - even good enough for some of us to bathe in the paddling pool (our adventurous John B) and the day finished on a high with a fabulous performance by Charlie the Magician especially for us in the Town Hall. Sponsorship money is coming in already - thank you so much to everyone who took part.

On Sunday 11th May, 25 intrepid volunteers abseiled from the top of Malmaison Hotel in Newcastle to raise funds for the trust. The weather was kind and so were our volunteers - we'll be doing it again next year if you would like to take part? To register your interest please ring Lesley Henderson on 01670 789753.

to view photographs please visit www.stevebrock.co.uk

TTHT Project Director Lesley Henderson has been named the Daily Mail Inspirational Woman of the Year 2007.

At a glittering ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel, hosted by Kirsty Young, she was praised for her single-mindedness and determination to make a difference. "It's quite humbling, really,' she admits. 'None of this happened because I set out to help people. At the time, I was just concerned with my own family and helping my own son.

"But a little later down the road, when I had been helped by wonderful people myself, I was struck by this real need to pass the message on.

"From there it snowballed, and it's quite remarkable. Now, I'm so proud of the fact that I can offer some hope to families who come to the centre when they are still reeling from that diagnosis.

"I can tell them that it isn't the end of the world to hear that your child is autistic.

"Better still, I can introduce them to Toby and tell them how proud I am that he is my son. What mother can ask for more?"

Read the full article from the Daily Mail here.