On 7th March Kentisbury Grange Estate hosted a very special fundraising event to raise awareness and much needed funds for the National Organisation for FASD and local therapy centre, Apple Tree Farm. They raised a whopping £5,136 which will go a long way in supporting Apple Tree Farm gain the sensory room they have been striving for.
The Estate was buzzing as people gathered in The Coach House Restaurant, the jewel in the crown of Kentisbury Grange, which offers a bistro style dining experience for guests & local residents alike. Welcomed with a glass of fizz on arrival, the atmosphere was electric as people prepared to taste the fabulous fine dining five course meal prepared by award winning chefs, including Kentisbury Grange’s own Head Chef Paul. The menu included Miso Glazed Beechridge Duck, Bombay Brixham Cod and Beesands Scallops. The ingredients were kindly donated from local suppliers and the chefs also donated their time to the cause. This meant that all proceeds generated from ticket sales were able to go directly to the beneficiaries involved.
The night also offered a pledge auction, encouraging attendees to dig deep to help these phenomenal causes. We had some amazing items generously donated in support of the evening, including a 2021/22 season Exeter City Football Club signed shirt, an official Exeter Chiefs 2019/20 signed rugby shirt and charming Pudsey Bear signed by the legendary Sir David Attenborough! Thank you to everyone that donated.
Apple Tree Farm is incredibly important to Kentisbury Grange head chef Paul and his wife Alison, who’s adopted little boy was diagnosed with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder with physical features (FASD) in 2020. FASD is a diagnosis that describes the permanent impacts on the brain and body resulting in a spectrum of physical, emotional, behavioral, and neurological characteristics; without treatment and the right support symptoms have significant impact on learning development and the individual’s well-being and actions could include refusing to out, distancing themselves from friends and family and antisocial behavior. Since the diagnosis, they have had significant help & support from Apple Tree Farm.
Paul and Alison both wanted to help Apple Tree Farm to raise money for a sensory room which includes fibre optic and reactive lighting, musical instruments, and tactile objects, but this does come with a cost. Apple Tree Farm need a minimum of £10,000 to build this special room, of which Paul and Alison have set themselves the enormous target of raising at least half. And because of Kentisbury Grange’s event they are well on the way to achieving their goal of £7,500 (80% Apple Tree Farm 20% National Organisation for FASD).
It was a spectacular night full of fun, laughter, tasty food, and bidding wars! The evening raised £2,336 from ticket sales and raffle, and the charity auction raised a further £2,800, making a grand total of £5,136 in just one night. Thank you to everyone who attended.
If you would still like to donate, Paul and Alison’s Go Fund Me Page is still live, and every penny raised will help children to have an environment where they can just relax, be calm and be themselves
