On April 29th Amy and I are going to take part in a 10k sponsored walk to help raise funds for CHIPs CHIPs (Childrens Integrated Playschemes). For a couple of years now Toby has been going to a regular saturday morning club organised by this charity. Although it's only held every couple of weeks it has become part of Toby's routine and he always gets excited when I get his CHIPs T-shirt out because he really enjoys his visits there.
All of the team are hugely dedicated and work so well together to keep the children happy and entertained. Toby's visits there in term time and the school holidays give him a chance to interact with others and while he's having fun H and I have time to spend with Amy and each other. But the costs of running such schemes are of course huge and although parents pay towards the sessions most of the money needed to fund special equipment and one-to-one staffing is raised by charity events and donations:
Imagine, as a child, having nowhere to play, rarely going out and having few friends to have fun with. Horrible isn’t it? Yet that is the situation facing many disabled children today due to the continuing lack of support and understanding of disability in society. It is CHIPS goal to provide a fun, safe and integrated environment for children of all ages to play and socially interact.
CHIPS is only part funded by Councils which mean that we rely heavily upon fundraising and the kind generosity of people like you.
Source: CHIPs website
We have just heard the the council have reduced their funding to CHIPs from this year and so the need to raise funds is even more urgent than in previous years.
That is why my lovely friend Hazel (herself the mum of a sweet autistic son called Jack) has organised this sponsored walk and why Amy and I will be joining in. We have set up a fundraising page and would really appreciate any sponsorship donation that you're able to make, however small because any money raised will really benefit families like ours and CHIPs now supports over 225 families with children like Toby.
I am also having a little giveaway and will include anyone who makes a donation in a random draw to win this spring bunny.
On Monday April 30th I'll draw one name with a random number generator from all of those who have donated and that person will win her.
Thanks so much x
little cotton rabbits 
done – wish it could have been more xx
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thanks so much – like I say, any amount is deeply appreciated no matter how small. Thanks x
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As also a Mum to a autistic child I know how important these things are and how much harder life would be without them, donation done and good luck to you and wonderful Amy for the walk!
Amanda x
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Great cause Julie and a real shame that the authorities can’t do more for these schemes. There always seems to be money for trivia!!
I’m happy to make a little donation and I hope you raise loads!!
Beautiful bunny as ever, such a sweet little dress. 🙂
Happy Thursday,
Vivienne x
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Good luck with your walk and your fundraising – I’m sure both will be brilliant.
Love to you two girls.
xx
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All done. Playschemes like this are a cause very close to my heart. My late Mum ran one for 10 years and I know it had a huge impact on so many families. I hope your raise plenty of pennies.
xMx
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Happy to help… and good luck with both the fundraising and the walk!
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I think you and Amy are ace! Small contribution made and I hope you raise gazillions.
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I made a donation and I hope you don’t mind, but I tweeted about your appeal too …
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Done! Proud to sponsor you & Amy!!
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Julie, you are an inspiration to us all. Very happy to make a donation and winning one of your bunnies would just be an added bonus 🙂
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Love the acronym! I used to work at similar play scheme called OOPS! (Oakleigh Opportunities for Play Scheme)
Off to sponsor you now. Good luck!
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You truly are and inspiration! I am very glad to make a donation to your very good cause.
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ooh you have nearly £500 well done
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Hello from Russia! May God bless your family! Nika
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Done! I hope you can raise lots and lots for this wonderful cause 🙂
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I am donating because I admire the fact that you stay together as a family in spite of all the challenges of everyday life with autism. You exhibit remarkable strength. Thank you for your inspiration.
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Go team. Hope you do well. X
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beautiful as alwyas
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Job done. Hope lots of people donate.
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Good luck with your walk – will be thinking of you.
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I am more than willing and happy to make a donation and am so grateful you have written this post so we who love you and your family so much can help.
It is so wonderful that there are programs out there like this to help. They are such a huge blessing!
Go Team Toby!!! 😀 Rock the walk!!!
Love ya!! xxoo
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All the best to Team Toby! hugs
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Couldn’t get the page to load??? Not even the “browse all charities” button would work.
Arg.
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She is adorably cute and I would like a dress like that too please! I’m not in a position to give but I’ll be cheering you on from across blogdom, it is a truly priceless project for not just Toby but his whole family. All the best, best foot forward! 🙂
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done. Happy with your idea . Best wishes.
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Julie, is there any other we can give? Like Kristen I can’t get the site to load 😦
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Awww, what a great thing they do for the kids! 🙂
And your bunnies are so adorable!
From FL
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Done. wishing you all the best with your walk. Go team Toby!
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Just made a donation…it’s not much, but I wanted to show my support.
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Done! I will be clapping loud and clear over here in France for you, Julie, and Amy on the big day. You are an inspiration and I hold nothing but admiration for you.
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Very happy to help in your good cause, I only wish it could have been more!
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Hi Julie-Just made a small but heartfelt donation. I had wanted to send you a big jug of bubbles a few weeks ago when you said how much they occupied Toby, but didn’t think they would make it all the way from New Jersey in the U.S. So happy to be able to support a cause that keeps him entertained (if even for a short while) on the weekend. I have my fingers crossed that you will get more respite hours for him. Yours was the first blog I ever found and I have now become a blogger myself after following you and others for a couple years. I have a significantly disabled daughter (15 years) and friends with autistic kids very much like Toby. It is very hard to find balance for our lives and family. But, we carry on. Enjoy the walk with Amy. Tricia Mueller
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you’re very welcome ~
sheila x
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Hi Julie ,
What a great thing to do I currently can’t make a donation my own medical bills are excruciating love to be considered for the raffle ,I love you beautiful knitted bunnys ,
God bless
Louise
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Hi Julie – just left you a donation and wish you and Amy the very best of luck with your walk – I wish I could come with you! Lucy xx
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great cause!
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Hi Julie
My autistic son is now 31 and lives in a group home, in Somerset, where he is very happy. For many years, I was chair of an adventure playground for children with special needs in London. More than 400 children, with various and different needs, came during the year to after school clubs, holiday play schemes and events. We would have been lost with out it. Places like this are absolutely essential and I wish you all the very best with your efforts. I am pleased to make a small donation.
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I wish I could have donated more, but I’m sure every penny counts with things like this, so I won’t beat myself up about the amount I’ve given 😉
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Done! Hope you have a beautiful day for your walk
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Finally got the Virgin site to work! Done, facebooked and tweeted. Go team Toby!
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Hope the sun shines on you and Hazel as you walk on the 29th. Will be thinking about you and sending positive thoughts. Make sure your shoes are comfy !
Morag
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I just donated and will be thinking of you and Amy on the sponsored wall. HUGS, Catherine x
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Oh I do admire you. I have just given a little donation. Fingers crossed you and Amy dont get drenched. xx
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I must be lucky last, I finally got all the links to work for me! Good luck with the walk and may the weather be kind to you 🙂
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Sorry I couldn’t sponsor more… if my numbers come up tonight i’ll be back 🙂 I hope the weather will be kind…enjoy your walk x
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Hi Julie,
Have just sponsored you and Amy. Good luck. Have fun and enjoy the day. Best regards to you all. Chris.
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Just admiring her one more time! So beautiful, as is anything you create. So happy things turned out well for the fundraiser. Happy Toby has such a nice place and people to work with!
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B-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l BUnny
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Hi Julie, I just love visiting your blog. It’s warm and inviting. The bunnies are so precious. My little girl (5) loves to look at them. She wants me to knit one for her. I am afraid mommy isn’t a very good knitter. I have just finished a car jacket. It took forever but it turned out nice. The little bunnies look a bit more difficult. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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Hi Julie, I just love visiting your blog. It’s warm and inviting. The bunnies are so precious. My little girl (5) loves to look at them. She wants me to knit one for her. I am afraid mommy isn’t a very good knitter. I have just finished a car jacket. It took forever but it turned out nice. The little bunnies look a bit more difficult. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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Hi Julie, I just love visiting your blog. It’s warm and inviting. The bunnies are so precious. My little girl (5) loves to look at them. She wants me to knit one for her. I am afraid mommy isn’t a very good knitter. I have just finished a car jacket. It took forever but it turned out nice. The little bunnies look a bit more difficult. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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Hi Julie, I just love visiting your blog. It’s warm and inviting. The bunnies are so precious. My little girl (5) loves to look at them. She wants me to knit one for her. I am afraid mommy isn’t a very good knitter. I have just finished a car jacket. It took forever but it turned out nice. The little bunnies look a bit more difficult. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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Hi Julie, I just love visiting your blog. It’s warm and inviting. The bunnies are so precious. My little girl (5) loves to look at them. She wants me to knit one for her. I am afraid mommy isn’t a very good knitter. I have just finished a car jacket. It took forever but it turned out nice. The little bunnies look a bit more difficult. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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Hi Julie, I just love visiting your blog. It’s warm and inviting. The bunnies are so precious. My little girl (5) loves to look at them. She wants me to knit one for her. I am afraid mommy isn’t a very good knitter. I have just finished a car jacket. It took forever but it turned out nice. The little bunnies look a bit more difficult. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Julie, I just love visiting your blog. It’s warm and inviting. The bunnies are so precious. My little girl (5) loves to look at them. She wants me to knit one for her. I am afraid mommy isn’t a very good knitter. I have just finished a car jacket. It took forever but it turned out nice. The little bunnies look a bit more difficult. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Julie, I just love visiting your blog. It’s warm and inviting. The bunnies are so precious. My little girl (5) loves to look at them. She wants me to knit one for her. I am afraid mommy isn’t a very good knitter. I have just finished a car jacket. It took forever but it turned out nice. The little bunnies look a bit more difficult. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Julie, I just love visiting your blog. It’s warm and inviting. The bunnies are so precious. My little girl (5) loves to look at them. She wants me to knit one for her. I am afraid mommy isn’t a very good knitter. I have just finished a car jacket. It took forever but it turned out nice. The little bunnies look a bit more difficult. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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