Matthew – Hearing Angel 2012-13
Matthew was born with unilateral Microtia Atresia a condition that means he has no right ear or ear canal. He also suffers from tinnitus in his good ear. This makes it very difficult for him to hear clearly particularly in situations where there is any background noise and he finds hard to follow conversation relying on eye contact and the understanding of others around him. He has never let his disability stop him in any way and through his fundraising and association with The Osmonds has grown in confidence and determination.
From a very early age Matthew has enjoyed music and theatre particularly ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ . He has watched Donny in Joseph many many times, learnt all the songs and even performed his own version at home. As a special treat he was taken to see the The Osmonds at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon. After the concert, Matthew was lucky enough to meet Merrill, Jay and Jimmy Osmond. He told them all about his hearing impairment, his ‘little’ ear and the hearing aid he uses at school. Jimmy told Matthew about his two older brothers who were born deaf and how their mother sent his other brothers out singing to raise money for hearing aids. Jimmy’s words touched Matthew’s heart and he was inspired to do something positive to help other kids like him and raise money for hearing impaired children in the UK. This chance meeting after the show was not only the start of Matthew’s fundraising but also made Matthew proud to be different. Read more about Matthew and his fundraising.
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Gerry Ferry
The church I attend (Acomb Methodist Church, York) puts on coffee mornings once a month to raise funds for various charities it, or the Methodist Church as a whole, is connected with. On 10th November 2012 we held one in aid of the Hearing Fund. Various people from the Facebook group volunteered to help – we had cakes, presents that people could buy for Christmas gifts and a couple of quizzes. We also had a name the Bear.
We all had a really good time talking to people about what the Fund was all about. Nicola Bentley came with her absolutely adorable little boy Joseph (see above) and they sat with some of the children who were making decorations. We raised £180 on the day, which was fantastic!
Afterwards, we went to lunch to talk about the morning and whether we wanted to do it again – and we do, and we ARE – this time it’s in Summer and will take place on Saturday, 8 June from 10.00am – 12 midday, and we would love to see you there!
Acomb MC have donated funds to the Elizabeth Foundation before so they know about their work and I think that helped launch the church’s future (hopefully) association with the Hearing Fund UK. The Donations Group, which annually gives a percentage of their income to various causes, have given the Fund £300. Acomb MC also have an annual Christmas Festival, and the Hearing Fund UK had a sponsored tree – not to raise funds, but awareness of the Fund’s existence, and this was very successful.
My thanks to everyone who came to the coffee morning, those who helped on that day – Janette, Josie, Alison, Tracey, Lucy, Beth, Nicola and Joseph. Also, I want to thank those who helped with the tree decorations.
See you at another Fundraiser soon!
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Jacob is a two year old little boy I look after who loves to bake. His favourite part is using the wooden spoon to mix and lick the bowl out! He even has his own mini baking set .
I regularly bake with Jacob for The Hearing Fund. These cupcakes sell very fast! Jacob was planning to give Justin a cheque for £24 he had raised but he became ill while Justin was over. He is hoping to meet him next time!
Another activity Jacob enjoys is reading. I have a wide variety of books including, ‘Oliver’s Hearing Aids’ and ‘ I Can’t Hear Like You!’ Once Jacob is a little older I can use the books to explain hearing loss to him and how the fundraising he is doing helps deaf children in his area.
So for the moment he is just having fun while raising money!
Josie McConnell
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Evelyn
Merrill Osmond has helped me immeasurably. Although he is probably best known for making music, Merrill is also interested in healing. He says that if he hadn’t had a career in the entertainment world, he would like to have been a doctor. During a wellness weekend that he held a few years ago, he healed me of a number of ailments. In a sense, prior to that weekend, I was hearing-impaired – not physically, but with regard to the Holy Spirit. Through Merrill, I was cured of my spiritual deafness & experienced joy I never knew was possible! So if something is dear to Merrill’s heart, then it’s dear to mine. I have also been moved by Justin’s book, Hearing with my Heart, & by his inspirational example. The Osmond family has truly helped me & enhanced my life, so it’s lovely to be able to give something back! Read more about Evelyn’s sponsored hedge planting…
Photo courtesy of Jayne Canlin
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If you would like to see your fund raising event featured on this page, please email your name, a few details about your event and some photographs to tracey@hearingfund.org.uk
