Thistledown children’s home in Haverhill raise almost £2,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital and Dementia UK

Almost £2,000 has been raised for charity by the residents of a Haverhill children’s home and its staff.

The six young people at Thistledown, who are aged between 14 and 17 and have disabilities, and staff held a series of fund-raisers last year.

Staff and children voted to donate the monies raised to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Dementia UK.

Two fancy dress car washes netted £839 in all, a walk, which saw ten staff and the six residents complete 500miles in one month, raised £200 and a raffle made a further £831.

Among the prizes donated was a pair of signed gloves from Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, which were provided by Haverhill Rovers FC.

Mel West, the home’s manager said: “I think it went really well.

”The initial plan was basically to get our young people to become part of the community and to break down potential barriers and misconceptions of children in care and show that children with disabilities are able to be a part of the community.”