Princesshay kick-starts new charity partnership for 2016

Princesshay is delighted to announce local charity, Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education as their 2016 charity partner. Each year the city’s premier shopping destination officially supports a different local charity, helping to raise awareness through fundraising and events.

Exeter Deaf Academy is the only specialist day and residential Deaf education provider in the South West, and at 190 years old, it is also one of the city’s oldest charities. It runs a school and college for students from throughout the UK in a bilingual environment, providing tailored education and care in both English and British Sign Language (BSL).

Deaf students learning in mainstream schools and colleges are also supported by the Academy through an outreach service. However, as a charity, it is not funded in the same way as state schools, reliant on fundraising to help pay for much of the essential and innovative work that it does.

To kick off the yearlong charity partnership, Princesshay has sponsored the Exeter Deaf Academy’s school football kit. Last week the football team were proud to show off their new kit competing in a school tournament in Derby. They won third place in their category.

Princesshay Centre Director, Wayne Pearce said: “Exeter Deaf Academy is a local dynamic charity which provides excellent support for the deaf community. This partnership is not just about raising funds but also aims to put a spotlight on the charity, helping raise their profile throughout the year.”

Exeter Deaf Academy Chief Executive and Principal, Jonathan Farnhill, said: “We’re thrilled to have been chosen as Princesshay’s charity of the year – as a charity we are reliant on the generosity of the local community to support our work with Deaf young people.

"It is important for our students and the wider Deaf community that Exeter understands the role we play in the city’s life. Equally, it is vital that people understand the role we can all play in ensuring Deaf people are fully included and able to participate in and contribute to our local community.

"We are very grateful to Princesshay for their fundraising support, but even more for their commitment, with us, to improve the lives of Deaf people.”