 The summer wedding season ended with an emotional finale for all at The Wessex Autistic Society recently when one of the charity’s greatest ambassadors, Melissa Edwards, married Nick Richardson with the couple generously donating all of their wedding gifts to the local autism charity with Head Offices in Christchurch. In support of an ongoing charity campaign by the organisation, ‘Gifts that Keep Giving’, happy couple Melissa and Nick, who live in Ringwood, very generously decided to ask their wedding guests to donate to The Wessex Autistic Society instead of receiving personal gifts on their special day. Married in Ringwood, the couple held their wedding reception in Christchurch. Melissa’s daughter Molly, who has severe autism, attends Portfield School near Bournemouth and the family are so pleased with the progress Molly has made since attending the school that they were more than happy to give so generously to the charity. Autism is a lifelong condition and there is a constant worry about how to cope with the next stage of Molly’s life. “Molly is an adolescent now and experiencing hormonal and physical changes like any other teenager. But so far this has not fazed her at all. The school prepared her for these changes, and we carried this through at home. Molly now attends Lifeskills and caring for Molly is very much a team effort. I couldn’t do it without all the wonderful support I have. And it is essential to have support. Molly goes to respite 60 nights a year, which I felt so guilty about. But the time that gives me to recharge my batteries enables me to keep her living at home, and ensures she is happy too.” Melissa concludes, “You can enjoy life with autism. Molly is a gift and I feel I was meant to have her. I would be utterly lost without her.” The Wessex Autistic Society provides respite care via the wonderful facilities at Wessex Lodge, based in the grounds of Portfield School, and it was the team at the Lodge who cared for Molly when Melissa and Nick went on honeymoon for a week. Wessex Lodge is a modern purpose built facility for short breaks for children between the ages of 2 and 19 who have a diagnosis of Autism and / or a learning disability. Situated in Christchurch, within the secure grounds of Portfield School, Wessex Lodge benefits from modern, purpose built facilities including lounge/diner, playroom, four single bedrooms, shower room, bathroom, kitchen, laundry, office, an enclosed garden, as well as staff sleep-in facilities. While at the lodge, residents can access a range of therapeutic facilities at Portfield, such as the sensory room, playground and therapy pool. A stay at Wessex Lodge encompasses a broad selection of activities, including involvement in the community with visits to Moors Valley Country Park, Swanage Railway, Bowling, cinemas, and more; all enjoyed with the level of support needed for each individual’s specific requirements.
Melissa concludes; “Nick and I are delighted to have been able to use such a special occasion as our wedding to raise funds for the charity that has done so much for us as a family. Safe in the knowledge that Molly was at Wessex Lodge we could go away and enjoy our honeymoon, although we missed all the children terribly! We are looking forward to our next celebration now as an opportunity to raise even more funds for the charity, but will have to wait for a few years until Nick turns 40! Our wedding day was such a special occasion, made even more so by our guest’s generosity in giving to The Wessex Autistic Society on our behalf. I would like to thank everyone so much for their support.”
If you are getting married or have another special occasion to celebrate and would like to donate to The Wessex Autistic Society instead of receiving personal gifts, please get in touch with the Fundraising Team who will help you arrange everything, including setting up a Just Giving page. To view Melissa and Nick’s Just Giving page visit http://www.justgiving.com/mollys-world where donations will still be accepted.
For further information about Portfield School or Wessex Lodge please visit www.twas.org.uk |
