THE FOUNDER of a respite service which supports children with severe special needs and their parents has said she is honoured after becoming the first ever winner of a new funding scheme in Malvern.
Kaleidoscope, which has been running in the town for more than 20 years, put its name in the history books by becoming the first town-based project to benefit from the Malvern Soup initiative launched earlier this year.
It’s first event was held at Malvern Cube on Sunday and saw the project net more than £400 from the proceeds raised to hold the event which was match-funded by the Big Pickersleigh Project.
The crowd-funding event is aimed at local projects, not necessarily charitable but focused to benefit Malvern in some way or form, who have to make a pitch saying why they should take home the money.
Kaleidoscope holds sessions twice a month at Osborne Road and helps children with cerebral palsy, Down’s Syndrome, autism, epilepsy, various genetic disorders and severe development delay.
The charity runs activities for the youngsters including swimming, cooking, crafts, music and trips out on the train or to a farm, walks and picnics.
Diana Maiden, who runs the Kaleidoscope project, beat off other pitched projects on the day such as the Nappy Advisory Service, isolation group Zest For Life and local music project ‘Beat Doctors’ which encourages young people to get into music.
A delighted Diana told the Observer: “It’s an honour and a thrill to be the winner of the first Malvern Soup. I wasn’t expecting it at all.
“I have two paid staff so the money gained will go cover their costs for a weekend and for the hydrotherapy session we run.
“Malvern Soup is a great opportunity for small projects to be heard and its a really exciting venture for Malvern to have.”
Malvern Soup founder Chris Reed was delighted with the success of its first event.
“We are delighted that our first Soup event was so well attended,” he said.
“Kaleidoscope is a worthy winner and we wish them every success in continuing their outstanding project for many years to come.”
“There were plenty of questions which Diana handled admirably, showing great commitment to a project which she founded and has run for many years.
The next Malvern Soup event will be held at HDAnywhere Community Stadium on Sunday, December 11 from 3pm to 6pm.
To get involved in future events visit www.malvernsoup.co.uk.
