Charity winds up after a decade helping children

A Sheringham charity which raised more than £50,000 for children with cerebral palsy is closing after 10 years.

Moss Taylor and Robina Churchyard founded Love for Leo in 2014, sparked by Moss’s grandson.

Leo has cerebral palsy and it was clear that many youngsters like him needed financial help for operations and equipment that would give them a better quality of life.

Over the past decade, 61 youngsters in Norfolk and Suffolk have received donations to help pay for things including operations, all-terrain buggies, car seats, special chairs, blenders to liquidise food, and computers for schoolwork at home.

The money has come from lecture fees and books written by Moss – a former GP who is one of the region’s most respected ornithologists – and Robina’s homemade marmalade and garden produce.

Donations have also been received from the Sheringham Forties Weekends, the Mannington Charity Days, and by taking part in many fundraising events.

Moss said Love for Leo also had support from Tesco, Sheringham Carnival, Sheringham Little Theatre, Sheringham Golf Club, Clive Hay-Smith, the Sheringham Masonic Lodge and people who have sent donations instead of Christmas cards.

But he said it was closing its doors.

“The time has come to wind up Love for Leo,” said Moss.

“Requests for help have become fewer – we hope because there is more government funding for children with cerebral palsy.”

The residual funds have been donated equally to Sheringham Woodfields School and the Clare School in Norwich, where Leo is a pupil.

Both schools are for children with special needs, and each has received £4,150.

Matthew Smith, business manager at Woodfields, thanked Moss and Robina for the donation, saying: “This donation is a real boost to our fundraising efforts linked to our campaign for a new sensory room. Love for Leo for was an amazing charity which I know pupils from Sheringham Woodfields School have benefited from.”

Every penny raised for Love for Leo has been given to the children with all expenses borne by Moss and Robina.

Moss said: “It has been a pleasure and a great source of satisfaction to be able to give such help.”