Steve Clark, East Lancs Provincial Grand Charity Steward, was delighted to accept the invitation from Mrs Lisa Lane Head Teacher, and the pupils to visit the school on Friday 1st March. Mrs Lane had submitted a grant application to East Lancashire Masonic Charity to assist in buying new carpets for the halls and stairs within the school, which have now been installed. As the children are deaf or hearing impaired, carpets are imperative to help in reducing echoes and reverberations within the school. Steve was given a fantastic reception from the children, which he greatly appreciated and accepted on behalf of ELMC.
Thomasson Memorial is a day school for deaf children age 4 – 16 and a nursery for hearing and deaf children age 2-4. It provides a caring, secure and supportive environment in which all children are respected and encouraged to develop their full potential. The school was founded after Mr Thomasson, a local businessman who was hearing impaired, bequeathed money to provide a school for deaf children.
Thomasson Memorial has been at their Devonshire Road site since 1907 and currently has 75 students, 45 at the Devonshire Rd site. They are one of a only a handful of schools for deaf children, and have students from across the whole North West. As the building is now ‘getting on a bit’ the staff reached out to local Freemasons to ask for assistance in getting carpets, which were well past their best days. The grant for over £4000, has helped to replace these.
Thomasson Memorial is a local authority school but due to the age of the building, and difference in teaching aids, they would always welcome any financial assistance from local charities or businesses, or from anyone who wants to make a difference locally and sit on the chair of governors. If you think you can help contact the school on:- 01204 333118.
Front Row L to R – Joesph, Zaynab, Steve, Muaz. Back Row L to R – Aleea, Brandon, Aasiya
Report from Lee Gridley