An exciting new project to develop Spectrum’s services for adults has come a step nearer thanks to generous funding from grant giving trusts and local support.

The Safecare Project Appeal was set up at the end of 2006 to raise £500,000 to modernise and refurbish two of Spectrum’s larger residential homes, St. Erme House and St. Erme Lodge, and to build a new day care and adult education centre.

An appeal letter sent to local councils which resulted in some £1,700 to start the fund was followed by various generous donations from local supporters to bring it up to around £5,000. In the meantime Spectrum’s Development Manager Deborah Moore began researching grant giving trusts which might be interested in helping the project.

This resulted in pledges amounting to £170,000 from

• The Albert Hunt Trust
• The Baily Thomas Trust
• The Clare Milne Trust

Dinner Dance and Art Auction

A decision was made to put on a major fundraising event in November 2007, a dinner dance and art auction. Led by Sarah Miller a small team of Spectrum staff worked on this project, contacting artists across the world to ask for donations, and making the detailed arrangements necessary to ensure the success of the evening.

And what a success it was! Auctioneer Philip Buddell kindly gave his services for free and encouraged an enthusiastic crowd to dig deep in their wallets to buy the artwork on display. An original Stella Vine portrait of Princess Diana was sold to a New York dealer for £10,000. In conjunction with the on-line auction that took place in the month following the live event, a total of £53,000 was grossed.

Further financial support is in the pipeline and it is hoped that the target will be achieved in the foreseeable future.

Lions Swimarathon

The Lions Clubs of West Cornwall kindly selected Spectrum’s Three Bridges Education Centre as the charity to support with a Swimarathon arranged for 16th March 2008. A large number of teams entered the 40-minute challenge which took place at Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool (near Redruth). Half the sponsorship money will come to Three Bridges, and the teams were given the choice of supporting their favourite charity with the other half of the money raised. Sponsorship is still being collected and we hope to be able to announce a result in the near future.

Fundraising Raffle

A beautiful hand-sewn double quilt has been donated by Mrs. Sutton, mother of one of Spectrum’s service users, and this forms the main prize for a raffle which will be drawn on 12th May. Other prizes kindly researched by Kat Pierce include tickets donated by Truro’s Hall For Cornwall, meals at local restaurants and wine. The money raised will go towards the Safecare Project appeal.

Sponsored Head Shave

John Gregory bravely offered to have his hair and beard shaved in support of the Safecare Project Appeal, and was duly shorn at the Victory Inn, Porthtowan, on 15th March. John is still collecting his sponsorship and we are happy to say that the hair has grown back!