Bromley charity patron Chris Tarrant receives cheque (From News Shopper)

Bromley charity patron Chris Tarrant receives cheque

3:24pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in News By Harry Kemble

QUIZ host Chris Tarrant received a cheque on behalf of a Bromley specialist pre-school on Wednesday (26) to refurbish the centre’s sensory room.

Pel Ahmet, 43, who has been chairwoman of The Friends of the Phoenix for three years, applied for funding to the Cable and Wireless Worldwide Foundation.

The mother-of-three found out she had won £9,999 for the pre-school - which is entirely reliant on donations - when she was on a packed train to London.

She said: "The train was packed but when they called me to tell me that I got the money it was quite hard not to celebrate.

"£10,000 is hard to raise in the current economic climate but it was a good application even so I was amazed when we got it."

Ms Ahmet, of Churchfield Road, whose nine-year-old daughter attended the charity’s pre-school when she was younger, won the financial support despite more than 300 funding applications made to Cable and Wireless.

Mr Tarrant said it was terrific news considering when he became involved with Phoenix it was a "tiny" organisation.

He said: "I've been involved with the Phoenix centre for many years since they were just a tiny little unit next to Farnborough hospital.

"Since then everything they've been able to provide by way of care for the kids has grown year on year.

"This is a great day thank you to everyone who has made this possible and the staff are just terrific people."

Twelve other charities across the UK were also successful with their applications to the internet giant.

She said: "Everyone is really happy we got the new equipment from the youngest to the late pre-schoolers aged five.

"More than a hundred that come into the centre will benefit and that will be hundreds of children over the next few years."

The equipment will help more than a 100 children at the centre with much machinery aimed at aiding children, who are visually impaired.

A sensory room is a room designed to develop people's sense, usually through special lighting, music, and objects - it is especially beneficial for children with learning disabilities.

"The disabilities are varied at the Friends of the Phoenix centre but they will all benefit," said Ms Ahmet, who also has a 15-year-old son and a seven-year-old daughter.

For more information about the Friends of the Phoenix centre call 020 8466 8811.