A FAMILY from Shobrooke, near Crediton, which launched an appeal for public help to raise £40,000 to help pay for an extension for a downstairs bedroom and bathroom for a seriously ill family member has received what it describes as “amazing news”.

Generous individuals, businesses and organisations, including many from the Crediton area and many “Crediton Courier” readers, donated more than £15,000 to the appeal - but this target has now been met thanks to a £26,000 grant from the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Sarah’s mother, Katherine Coates, explained: “We’ve had some amazing news from the RAF Benevolent Fund, they have given us a grant to meet the full amount of the build!”

OVERWHELMED

“We have been overwhelmed by their support and to meet the target before Sarah’s 30th birthday was incredible. Thank you for all your incredible support, we are eternally grateful to everyone for helping.”

Katherine previously explained: “Since last September Sarah has been in a hospital bed in the dining room, while this is great she is with the family, she has no private space and gets confused, often asking if she can go home? It would be wonderful to create her own bedroom.

“Sarah has a very rare degenerative neurological condition called Kufs disease.

“It’s been two years since she was assessed as needing her own space and we finally have planning permission for her downstairs bedroom and bathroom extension, but we have not got the full funds to go ahead with the build.

“We have raised £60,000 towards it but the cost of the basic build is £100,000. If successful in raising funds, the build could start this year.”

Now the target has been reached, Katherine explained that the builders have been commissioned for the works to begin at the end of September.

“All being well, we hope that the works will be completed by Christmas,” she added.

Katherine added: “I would like to thank every single person and organisation which has donated towards our appeal. Every donation has helped.”

KINDNESS

“People’s kindness has been fantastic and it really restores your faith in human kindness.

“We have received some incredibly kind messages which have been heartwarming.

“Making a bedroom for Sarah will change her quality of life.”

Mrs Coates said that it was because her husband had previously been in the RAF that the charity volunteered to help.

“The charity has been very kind and supportive and we cannot thank all those involved enough.

“I would advise anyone who has had a family member in the RAF, including National Service with the RAF, to speak to the RAF Benevolent Fund if they are needing any support at all.”

Katherine said that the appeal would remain open for the foreseeable future.

“After speaking to family and friends, who have arranged fundraising events in the coming months, we have decided to keep the just giving page open.

“Any extra funds will pay for the following: A 4ft profiling bed, much more comfortable than a hospital bed and wide enough to give her a cuddle, carpets and bathroom flooring curtains bathroom tiles, a ceiling track hoist to the bathroom and if we have enough, a patio outside Sarah’s bedroom so she can be wheeled into the garden.

“Thank you for all your incredible support, we are eternally grateful to everyone for helping us.”

FUNDRAISERS

A Charity Ballroom and Latin Tea Dance will be held at Newton St Cyres Parish Hall from 3pm to 5.30pm on Sunday, September 22 in aid of the appeal.

There will be instruction from professional tutors and all ages and abilities will be welcome.

Tickets are £10 per person or £25 per family, including tea and cakes.

ShoeFest 2019 will also be held at the Red Lion, Shobrooke, from 11am to 6.30pm in aid of Sarah’s Bedroom Appeal on Saturday, September 21.

The event will include live music from 11am with “The Woodmen” from 3pm, “Wee Free Men” from 4pm and “The Beatnxs” from 5pm.

The day will include a barbecue and vegetarian options, raffle, welly wanging competition, tai chi demonstration, children’s play teepee and more. Events will move indoors if raining.

Another fundraiser planned is a curry night in Leicester.

Alternatively, please make contact via the “Courier” by emailing: [email protected] .

Donations can be dropped off at the “Courier” office at 102 High Street, Crediton.

RAF BENEVOLENT FUND

The RAF Benevolent Fund wants to get thousands of RAF veterans and their families back on the radar. It estimates that as many as 100,000 are in urgent need of what could be life-changing support.

It said: “We all have a last chance to do our duty, just as they did theirs, by giving them and their families the support they deserve.

“Please get in touch with us today at: https://www.rafbf.org/request-help-someone if you know someone who is in need of help or to request help for yourself at: https://www.rafbf.org/request-help-yourself .

“Alternatively, you can call our helpline number on 0300 102 1919.

“They did their duty. We want to repay the debt owed to the men and women of the Royal Air Force and give them what is their right to have – help and support when they need it, through whatever battles they face.

“By donating today, your generosity will make a real difference to someone within our RAF Family going through a difficult time. Whether that’s easing financial distress, ensuring that someone has a safe and comfortable home that meets their needs, or looking after their emotional well-being to overcome loneliness and bereavement.”