Peter’s Fund
Housing
Relieve children and young people with handicap and special need, particularly but not exclusively by the provision of services for severely physically and/or mentally handicapped children and young persons for whom lifetime residential care is appropriate.
Educate
To educate children in the field of special needs to inspire them to behave charitably and responsibly towards such people in adult life.
Assist
To assist in the provision of educational and special care facilities for children and young people with special needs.
The Trustees would welcome any requests for assistance within these objects.
Current Activities
David
David is 47. His parents are Lenny and Shirley. He has an elder brother and a younger sister, all of whom are living with their families at Saxmundham, Suffolk.
David has a severe learning disability and epilepsy. He needs 24/7 support and care which he was receiving in an unsuitable home in Stowmarket, as the main property had been emptied and David was living in the annexe. David suffers from epilepsy but if taken to hospital, becomes anxious and will behave irrationally. His support workers are not medically qualified and so have to call an ambulance when he fits. His parents would travel from their home half way across Suffolk, often in the middle of the night to persuade the ambulance crew it was not in David’s best interests to be taken to hospital.
A Suffolk County Council led social work best interest decision in 2018 concluded that David should move to live nearer to his parents and other family in Saxmundham.
By order of the Court of Protection dated 25th February 2019, the PDS was appointed Deputy for the property and financial affairs of David.
Lenny and Shirley found an empty property in Saxmundham suitable for David to live in. Application had to be made to the Court of Protection for leave to proceed with the purchase. Funds were provided by Peter’s Fund with help from Suffolk Building Society and David’s family.
Some work had to be carried out to the property, and after 6 months, all was ready for David to move in, which he did in the spring of 2020.
The problems with epilepsy continue, but one of the Trustees, Dr. David Hodgkinson, has ensured that the ambulance crew refer to David’s parents as and when required.
It is hoped that David will be able to live out his days in his own home, with his family around him and close by, happily ever after.
If you have a family member like David, and who needs his own home, please contact us below.
How we started:
Peter Cawthorn
Peter Cawthorn was born on the 2nd November 1987. Peter had many handicaps; he had a small head, a condition known as “microcephally” as a result of this he was unable to see, and was unable to walk or talk. He also had a hiatus hernia, making him frequently sick when fed.
His life expectancy was limited, but with the highest medical care and love Peter lived on to his teens.
Peter’s parents became increasingly aware that they could not accommodate Peter’s needs within the home and so contacted Suffolk County Council. A project team was set up with Suffolk Coastal District Council, Orbit Housing Association, and other parents with similarly profoundly handicapped children. It was agreed to raise £100,000 towards the capital cost of the Housing project.
A limited company, Hope House Suffolk, (“HHS”) was created, which was remarkably registered as a charity on 29th February 2000; (Peter had been christened on 29th February 1988). Fund raising started with book sales, sponsored runs, and gifts.
Peter died suddenly on 7th August 2000, but the project continued Hope House, at Grange Farm, near Ipswich, was built. It provides a home from home for 4 profoundly handicapped young people.
Hope House & Peter’s Fund
In order to differentiate Hope House Suffolk from its Sister Charity, Friends of Hope House Suffolk, Hope House Suffolk’s name was changed to Peter’s Fund (Suffolk) on 19th January 2012.
