The Marist Preparatory School was today proud to be able to hand a cheque for £193.33 to Mr Andy Meaney, from the Research Institute for Movement Disorders Trust (RIMD). 

Rather than sending each other Christmas cards in December, pupils and staff collected money to give to a charity.  Mrs Julie Edwards, who is a mother at the school, benefitted from the work carried out by the Research Institute for Movement Disorders and suggested the Trust as a very worthy recipient of the money.  Today a special Assembly was held and Mr Meaney spoke to pupils and staff about the work the RIMD does.

The RIMD Trust provides funding for the research and development of rehabilitation programmes to improve the functionality, mobility and quality of life of children and adults with neurological disorders. The Trust also provides specialist rehabilitation equipment and facilities, and funding for the education and training clinical rehabilitation practitioners.

Andy Meaney is the Head of the Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation (CLEAR) Unit at Oxford Brookes University.  “The RIMD buys equipment and provides treatment to children and adults with a wide range of movement disorders and physical disabilities. We are a small but very active charity. We have no overheads, no paid members of staff and run no expensive advertising campaigns. All the money we receive goes towards the provision of treatment, equipment and research. Every penny counts and every pound makes a difference to somebody with a physical disability.  That is why the Trustees are delighted that the Marist Preparatory School chose us to receive the proceeds from their Christmas charity collection” Mr Meaney said.

Mrs Jenny Peachey, Headteacher at the Marist Preparatory School said “The Marist Preparatory School has a lengthy tradition of fundraising for projects at home and abroad. We particularly like to support charities near to the heart of our pupils, staff or parents. In this case one of our mothers has recently been a beneficiary of support from the RIMD and she proposed them as worthy recipients of our funds.”  She added “Whilst deciding not to send Christmas Cards widely this year and instead give money to charity, the girls and staff were also aware of playing their part in preserving the environment. A subject that is high on educational and political agendas at the moment. So all in all, we are very happy to present our cheque to Mr Meaney from RIMDT and are confident it will be put to good use. I understand that the money will go towards the purchase of a specialist ‘whole-body’ exercise machine for people in wheelchairs. We look forward to hearing further details at our Assembly on 27 January 2009 when he comes to collect the cheque.”

Mrs Julie Edwards said “I am eternally grateful to Andy and the RIMD team for getting me back on my feet.  I had been in a wheelchair and on crutches before my treatment at the RIMD.”