Brewin Dolphin launch Charity of the Year at Sandy Park
Investment management company, Brewin Dolphin, based in Pynes Hill, Exeter, organised a special visit for students from the Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education to visit Sandy Park as part of their player sponsorship. The group of ten residential students, who travel from all over the South West and as far away as North Wales, were given the chance to meet players from the first team squad.
The Exeter Academy for Deaf Education gives deaf students from 4 to 25 years the chance to improve their potential; academically, socially and emotionally within the South West and beyond.
The group had the opportunity to watch the players in action during a training session and enjoyed a guided tour of the facilities at Sandy Park. They also had the chance to meet Gonzalo Camacho, the international winger for The Chiefs for a personal question and answer session. As a specialist centre of excellence, Academy students are supported in a bilingual environment of British Sign Language and English.
14 year old academy student William Thomas from Wales educated Gonzalo by teaching him how to say ‘hello’ in sign-language so that the Argentine International Winger could personally communicate with the students.
As one of Exeter's oldest charities, the Deaf Academy has provided care and education for Deaf children for over 180 years. Brewin Dolphin arranged this unique event to launch the Deaf Academy as their first Charity of the Year.
Richard Pike, Divisional Director of Brewin Dolphin Exeter and Head of Charities for the South and South West, is a Trustee on the board for the charity. He says: “We are delighted to be supporting the Deaf Academy as our first-ever ‘Charity of the Year’. The impact of deafness on a child's life is often not well understood. Sadly, deaf children are more likely to do badly at school, less able to get a job or go on to university. Thankfully the services and education provided by the Deaf Academy enables them to have happier, more successful and fulfilling lives. I know the students were extremely excited at meeting the players and I want to personally thank the Chiefs for making this a very special and memorable occasion for them.”
The Exeter Deaf Academy is moving forward with plans for a new Academy in Hill Barton, following the granting of outline planning consent by Exeter City Council in July 2012 and now submission of the full application with detailed plans from the Academy’s architects de Rijke Marsh Morgan. The new Academy will be a landmark building for Exeter and the design reflects the visual communication that they use which will inspire generations of deaf children.
Jonathan Farnhill, Chief Executive Royal Academy for Deaf Education says “It is fantastic that Brewin Dolphin is launching the Academy as their new’ Charity of the Year’ in support of our work and spreading awareness of the needs and achievements of our students. The opportunity for our students to visit the Chiefs is an important one in inspiring and motivating them to get involved in sport and also in generating their sense of belonging and pride within Exeter. We are excited and delighted that organisations such as Brewin Dolphin and the Chiefs are leading by example in offering fun, and educational opportunities for our students. It is important for our students and the wider Deaf community that Exeter understands what we do and the role the community can play in ensuring Deaf people are fully included and able to participate in and contribute to the community. We're very grateful to Brewin Dolphin for their fundraising, but even more for their commitment to improve the lives of deaf people.”
