Chesswood Junior School - THE BIG JUMP!

Hi!

A little about me first - my name is Mariana and I am fortunate to be surrounded by my two greatest loves - animals, and my children. I must add that I have a couple of phobias (it will make sense soon!) - aracnophobia and acrophobia (fear of heights). I can manage tiny spiders these days, but give me a steep hill and I will go into a full-blown panic.

I am a Veterinary Surgeon in Worthing and 8.5 years ago I entered the exciting new world of motherhood.

It's been a remarkable adventure so far, with many ups and downs, but I am privileged to have the support of my wonderful family (thanks, Mum!), my colleagues and friends.

Other families are not as fortunate as we are.........but I am getting ahead of myself.

My eldest child is about to finish year 3 at Chesswood Junior School. It has been an eventful year but we have had incredible support from the Pastoral Team at Chesswood. This has allowed my little man to flourish despite the challenges that came with the transition to a new school.

What these remarkable people give to their job and to the kids they look after reminds me a lot of how much of ourselves we give to our patients in my line of work. And before you get upset, I am not comparing kids to animals (although my pets are my babies, ahem)! I am merely pointing out that we have a bunch of very passionate, dedicated people trying to do the best for the kids at the school.

Sounds incredible, right?

Drum roll......enter budget cuts.

There are major obstacles currently to providing the support children need in most schools, but in this case, I am fundraising for my boy's school, at the heart of my community.

Very specifically, and before I dwell for too long, I am fundraising for:

1. Development of a sensory room, £6000.

This will be amazing for neurodivergent children and any children struggling with the classroom environment, of which there are many. This funding will allow for a purpose-built space with the right resources and equipment. All these kids need is to feel safe and that they belong, and the correct sensory input at that point of dysregulation is of paramount importance to allow this. Let's make it happen.

2. Funds for disadvantaged children to engage in positive experiences in the community, £2000

Most of you are hopefully able to provide enriching experiences for your children, be it Christmas activities, visits to parks and activity centres or other fun things we all take for granted! If you are in the same advantaged position as my family is, you will not be able to easily imagine a reality where your children cannot engage in these socially enriching activities, right? Our community has many children in this situation. Chesswood has been inspiring in the way they are trying to improve these kids' lives but like everything else in our current economic situation....without funding, what one can do becomes quite limited.

And now back to my first paragraph.......

Yes, the vetmum (mumvet?) who is petrified of incy wincy spider and heights.

I thought long and hard about what I could do to improve a situation that I see as tragic. To commit to this cause, a great gesture is required - I will face one of my ultimate fears and BUNGEE JUMP at BRIGHTON MARINA on the 3rd of SEPTEMBER (time TBA for any supporters!). Please help out with ANYTHING you can, even £1 is £1 more for these kids. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Chesswood, to be used specifically for the purposes above. I know I'm aiming high and of course I understand our current economic situation, but without dreaming a dream life makes little sense. I will be incredibly grateful for anything you can give, and your effort will be much appreciated.

There will be tears, high pitched cries for mummy, and possibly a quick trip to the shop beforehand to purchase adult nappies.

Guess how I'll be feeling? Despaired, scared, sick to my stomach, alone up there, jumping to face my ultimate fear.

Some of these kids wake up every day feeling this way, be it due to neurodivergence or difficult circumstances at home, or both. It doesn't end in a few minutes for them. It is sometimes constant, and they need to keep pushing themselves. If we can improve one life, if we can make one breath easier for them, this is all worth it.

For them, I will jump.

------------ VIDEOS WILL BE UPLOADED CLOSER TO THE EVENT, AND AFTER! ----------