About

Thank you very much for supporting the work of The Deepti School for special needs children. The Deepti School in Kerala, India, was founded by my friends, Dr. Mathew Vargheese and Dr. Susan Mathew. Mathew and Susan have a son with cerebral palsy, who is now 13 years old. Mathew and Susan lived in Durham, UK, for several years whilst studying. It was during that time that we became good friends. On returning to India, they set about to help other children with special needs and their parents, who often face hardship, with much needed support. My own son Michael, helped by doing 3 months volunteering work at Deepti earlier this year. I went to visit him and my friends who run the school. I was blown away by what Mathew and Susan have achieved in helping so many children, and the life changing experience it has been for Michael. What started out as a small play group, has now grown into a school, which educates and supports over 170 children. Helping all these differently abled children, is entirely funded by donations and no charge is made upon those that attend. As well as educating the children, there is a range of daily special care facilities, such as, speech, physio and occupational therapy. The problem... When I visited Deepti, it became very apparent that this centre for caring has outgrown its current rented premises. It is now in need of land and a school building of its own. The solution... A one acre site has become available, which is very near the existing school, and it is suitable to build the new school. The cost of the land is £105,000. We have a promise of £60,000 from a donor charity, plus some other donations, and it leaves us with a target of £18,000 to fund raise before 31st march 2018. It is important to reach this goal by this date, as some of the financial pledges that we have had will not carry over to the next financial year. My bit... I'm doing a 40+ mile sponsored cycle ride to raise awareness and hopefully funds for the new Deepti School. I and some friends will cycle from Durham along historic disused railway cycle paths to Consett and onto the Waskerley Way to Parkhead Station and back. It will take us up to the very windswept yet beautiful Stanhope Moor. Our planned start is from Broompark picnic area DH7 7RJ, 21st October 2017 at 9am. I welcome any supporters, with or without bikes! I will be at Parkhead Station Cafe at about mid day. You can join in the fun too!... Some friends will be joining me for the whole route, and others will join me for the, downhill with the wind behind you, home stretch of the route! This route can be very challenging if it is wet or windy, but if you are fit and able, then feel free to join me, or to sponsor me, or to raise some sponsorship money by doing the same yourself! Thank you so much for your support and generosity. Stuart :) http://www.candleforindia.org/ Supporting the work of the Deepti Centre for special needs children in Kerala, India. Thank you for visiting our Givey page. When you make your donation through Givey, the Charity receives 100% of the donation. Your details are safe with Givey and donating is completely secure. Whatsmore, they never share your email address with any third parties except the Charity you donate to.