News
(Archived news here)
May 2023
New Arrangements for Sponsorship and Presents
Improving children’s lives
The children and the staff of Rangammal School are very grateful for the standing orders received regularly from supporters.
It has been suggested that sponsors might prefer to support a general fund instead, to ensure that all children, sponsored or not, receive a birthday present and a Christmas gift.
Local well wishers in India already support this fund.
Currently some 160 children are individually sponsored from the UK. The cost of feeding, housing, clothing and educating a child is around £50 a month. Sponsors donate as much as they can towards this by a one-off payment or standing order, gift aided where possible.
An easy way of helping
Sponsoring is an easy, direct way of helping to improve children’s lives.
If you would like to be involved, please contact Mrs Bernadette Barnes on 01765 601785 bernadettebarnes@yahoo.co.uk
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MARCH 2023
Tony Hartigan
Tony Hartigan
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Anthony John Hartigan, a former Trustee and Communications Officer of the Sylvia Wright Trust. Tony was a very active and enthusiastic supporter of Sylvia and the Indian projects. He edited the SWT website and newsletter for many years, produced an excellent fundraising DVD and promoted our work to local schools, parishes and community groups with great success. Following his retirement as a Leeds Headteacher he visited the projects in India. He was a powerful voice for our work. We are deeply indebted to him. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Fundraising in India
Rocking at Rangammal
A fundraising day at Rangammal organised by John Rajkumar, the CEO of our three projects, has been a resounding success. The event received support from many representatives of Indian businesses, commerce, industry and government. More than 5,000 people attended.
Professional musicians, performers and dancers generously gave their time for free. They were joined on stage enthusiastically by pupils at Rangammal School.
Loud Music and Lively Dancing
Proceeds from the event are still coming in. These funds will be spent in support of the nursing college, school for young people with hearing loss and the day centre for children with special needs and disabilities.
Staff at the three projects and Rangammal board members worked with enthusiasm and zeal to deliver this event.
The Sylvia Wright Trust here in England has sent a message of congratulations to John Rajkumar and his colleagues. The success of this impressive inaugural event bodes well for future fundraising in India.
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February 2023
Sylvia Celebrates 85th Birthday
It’s time for cake!
The birthdays of Sylvia Wright and staff member Mr Vijayan
were marked at Rangammal with a special Mass and cultural celebrations. Sylvia is now 85 years old. RMRS Board Members presented garlands and gifts. Many former students of the school and nursing college returned for the occasion.
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January 2023
Award for Sylvia Wright
Another award for Sylvia
As part of the celebrations for World Disabled Day 2022, Sylvia Wright received an award in recognition of her decades of service to children with special needs. The shield, pictured, was presented by Mr. K. Pichandi, Deputy Speaker of the local Legislative Assembly, and other officials.
World Disabled Day was instigated by the United Nations to promote inclusion in life and the workplace. The initiative encourages government and business leaders across the globe to value the unique contributions of disabled people.
Congratulations to Sylvia on this richly deserved recognition.
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December 2022.
Christmas 2022
Placing Baby Jesus in the crib
The dancing Santas of Rangammal School
The end of term at Rangammal School was marked with a Christmas celebration. Children placed the baby Jesus in the crib as part of a religious service. Musical entertainments followed, including much lively dancing.
The Sylvia Wright Trust wishes all supporters and friends a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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November 2022.
The festival of Krishna Jayanthi
Children at Rangammal School celebrate the festival of Krishna Jayanthi with drama and dance
We have just received this beautiful photograph of children at Rangammal School taking part in the festival of Krishna Jayanthi. This important Hindu festival is marked widely in Tamil Nadu. The birth of Krishna is celebrated in drama and dance. The picture was taken in August 2022.
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