Former Eastenders’ star ensures Brainwave gets Albert Square bonus

Release Date: 07/06/2012

Cheryl Fergison (who played Heather Trott in Eastenders) took time out recently from a busy work schedule to present an Eastenders ‘Albert Square’ street plaque signed by all the cast from the popular soap to Brainwave children’s charity at Chislehurst Golf Club. The street plaque will be auctioned at Brainwave’s fundraising London Bollywood Dinner that marks the 30th Anniversary of the charity and will be held on Wednesday 10 October at The Hotel Russell.

Cheryl said, “I am so delighted to be supporting Brainwave children’s charity. When Steve Whale asked me to present this cast signed ‘Albert Square’ street plaque to them, I did not hesitate as it is a fantastic charity and is a much needed service that takes time to listen and give practical help to children and their families. While a lot of the world is so negative it is our duty to instill only positive and practical ways to tackle challenging situations that life likes to throw at us. The Brainwave Centres are vital and important places with fantastic people working there who give a positive approach to therapy for the children they see and their families”

Steve Whale, who works on the popular BBC programme and donated the signed ‘Albert Square’ street sign explains, “Mason my son has Cerebral Palsy and Autism and although Mason does not attend the Centre at the moment, my contact with Brainwave showed me what outstanding results are achieved and it was a natural choice to donate the Eastenders’ plaque to the Brainwave charity.

“Time, care and dedication are given to the children and the families that they see at their three Centres. I hope this is the start of an on-going relationship and I am looking forward to future projects with Brainwave and will give as much support as possible to such a worthwhile cause.” Gerry Gould, Brainwave SE Community Manager comments, “It was my absolute pleasure to receive this plaque on behalf of Brainwave. Cheryl was extremely interested in the work we do with the children that we see at all our children’s therapy centres and it was so good of both Cheryl and Steve to take the time and effort in their busy work schedules to do this for us and their kindness and caring and support is very much appreciated by everyone at Brainwave. I look forward to seeing them again in the future.”

Brainwave works with families to deliver home based individual therapies and exercises to help children with disabilities and Developmental Delay reach their full potential. That potential might be anything from a child sitting or walking to feeding themselves or counting. The children on Programme have a range of conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, genetic conditions including Down’s syndrome, as well as Autism or General Development Delay.

Families are invited to attend an Initial Assessment where the whole family is assessed and a Programme tailor made for that child developed. The parents are then shown how to deliver that Programme, which they undertake at home, returning to the Centre every 4-6 months for it to be adjusted as the child progresses.

The Centre in Somerset was set up in 1982 and Brainwave has also two further Centres in Witham, Essex and in Birchwood, Warrington as well as satellite clinics in Ireland and Scotland so that families can access Brainwave wherever they are based in the UK.

Places on the Programme are available for children at all three Centres. For more information see www.brainwave.org.uk ; email: enquiries@brainwave.org.uk or phone: 01278 429089. For fundraising in the South East please contact: Gerry Gould on 07725956014 or 01268 561784 Email: gerrygould@brainwave.org.uk

Press information: Jane Adkins, Tel: 01935 813114 or email: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Brainwave’s team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists development therapists and teachers seek to transform the lives of children with disabilities. By working with parents, giving them relevant therapy equipment and teaching them correct handling skills, they are empowered to actively participate in their child’s development. 2. Families are invited to the Centre for a two day Initial Assessment where the child is assessed and a Programme designed for the child. On the second day the family are shown how to undertake the exercises, which they then carry out at home, returning to the Centre every 4-6 months when the exercises are adjusted. 3. Brainwave was set up in 1982 and moved into the Centre in Huntworth Gate, Bridgwater in 1986. This Centre operates as the Charity’s head office. 4. Brainwave currently has over 530 families on Programme nationally. 5. See the charity’s videos at http://uk.youtube.com/BrainwaveCentre . 6. Brainwave uses mainstream neuroplasticity techniques in its Programmes. Most of its therapists are NHS trained. 7. Brainwave’s President is HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO and the Vice Presidents include Lady Gass, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Somerset.