Local homebuilder makes generous donation to beach school charity

Local homebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter is proud to announce a £1,500 donation to the Charlie Duignan Foundation, a new local charity dedicated to honouring the memory of eight-year-old Charlie Duignan by promoting environmental education and beach conservation through Charlie's Beach School.

Charlie's parents, Yvette and David, established the foundation as a living legacy in which to share Charlie’s love for the beach and sea with as many people as possible. The Charlie Duignan Foundation became a registered charity in April 2024.

Charlie's journey was a courageous battle against a brain tumour diagnosed in June 2022. Despite undergoing extensive surgeries, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, Charlie's resilience shone through as he returned to school and sports after learning to talk and walk again. Treatment ended in July 2023 but tragically just months later the tumour returned aggressively, and Charlie passed away in January 2024 surrounded by his family.

Charlie's passion for the environment and beach clean-ups, which he saw as treasure hunts, inspired his parents to create Charlie's Beach School in his memory. The school aims to provide fun and educational beach activities for children, promoting environmental awareness and outdoor play. The foundation recently secured a lease for a beachfront unit in Exmouth, allowing year-round operations and diverse programmes such as beach clean-ups and sports, sea swimming, art, and informative talks.

The donation helped to launch Charlie's Beach School in September, funding its initial activities. In addition, Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter have donated beach cleaning equipment, and staff have recently taken part in a beach clean. During the clean, the team recovered 16.5kg of waste, including three disposable barbeques, and other items such as a fishing line were collected to be recycled by the charity.

Nicki Reid, Sales Director for Barratt David Wilson Homes Exeter, said: "We are delighted to support the Charlie Duignan Foundation with this donation and through volunteering. Charlie's story deeply moved us, and we are honoured to contribute to an initiative that not only preserves his legacy but also instils a love for the environment in children. We believe in the importance of community and environmental stewardship, and Charlie's Beach School embodies both."

David Duignan, Charlie's father, said: “We are incredibly thankful for Barratt’s generous donation. This support will be instrumental in getting Charlie's Beach School off the ground. Our goal is to create a place where children can learn to love and protect the environment just as Charlie did. This donation brings us one step closer to making that vision a reality."

For more information about the Charlie Duignan Foundation and Charlie's Beach School and how you can support them, please visitwww.charliesbeachschool.co.uk.

To learn more about Barratt Developments, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk.