Petworth boy will benefit from new farm facility

Chandlers Building Supplies’ Petworth branch is backing the Chailey Heritage Foundation, which supports children and young adults with neurological and motor conditions, by helping it build a new multi-sensory farm at its site near Lewes.

Chailey Heritage School pupil Edward Cocks, ten, from Petworth, is one of the children who will benefit from the farm.

Parents Alice and James Cocks said: “Edward joined Chailey Heritage School last year and thanks to the dedication of his teachers and therapists, he has made masses of progress and is now able to drink from a cup rather than a spoon.

“He has really embraced all of the activities on offer and he especially enjoyed the zip wire at Hindleap.”

Chandlers is donating materials to help with the construction of the wheelchair-friendly facility, called Patchwork Farm, and now staff are calling on customers to help raise the £55,000 needed to build, stock and open the farm by completing a 1,000 piece in-store jigsaw.

People can buy jigsaw pieces for £3 and add them to the puzzle, with every penny going to Patchwork Farm.

Jason Austin, branch manager, said: “Patchwork Farm will be a wonderful facility for all ages and we are pleased to be involved with the project.

“We know how generous Chandlers customers are and hope they can support this worthy cause. We are looking forward to seeing the jigsaw come together over the next few months.”

As well as providing therapy sessions for Chailey’s 220 youngsters, the farm will be home initially to goats, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs. It will help deliver life skills and independence courses and will eventually be opened for children with disabilities across the country.

Paula Marten, head of Chailey’s Hanbury department, which supports young people into adulthood, said: “Patchwork Farm is a facility for all children and young people at Chailey, and eventually anyone with a disability in the UK, will be able to use.

“Animal therapy has a proven track record of helping to boost confidence and learning in children with special educational needs and the farm will provide an enriching new activity for our youngsters.”

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