The sun shone and the sky was lit up with smiley, happy faces as The Sunnybank Trust officially marked the launch of its Shine On appeal on Thursday.

More than 50 of the charity’s users, volunteers and advocates joined special guests at its weekly Kites club, held at St Barnabas Church, in Temple Road, Epsom.

Last week, the Epsom Guardian launched the Shine On appeal to support The Sunnybank Trust's fantastic work for those with learning disabilities.

The charity has more than 250 service users and 180 volunteers, but needs to raise £75,000 by next April to continue running the Kites club, its friendship scheme, and an independent advocacy service to individuals with learning disabilities who are facing difficult decisions or issues in their lives.

At the launch, Kites club members had the chance to try new equipment awarded to the club by Surrey County Council for boccia, an accessible game similar to bowls which is accessible to everyone regardless of ability. 

Many of them also dipped their hands in yellow paint and added their prints to a sun-shaped Shine On mural, enjoyed live music and chatted in the club’s cafe.

To celebrate the start of the appeal, the entire club gathered outside the church to release four smiley-faced yellow balloons into the clear sky to cheers.

Patricia Summerfield, who attends the Kites club, said: "The club makes sure that people get the help they need.  It’s fun and everyone is treated fairly."

Volunteer Louise Shah urged people to get behind the appeal as "we can learn so much from those with learning disabilities".

She said: "They have spontaneity, so much love, they don't bear grudges, and they just look out for one another.  They form meaningful relationships with each other and really care. They form their own community.

"In a community like this, they can all reach their full potential.  It's a wonderful service which gives every person involved in its so much joy."

The charity’s founder, Tom Rhindt-Tutt, 86, presented Mark Bushnell with a thank-you gift for raising £2,000 for The Sunnybank Trust by running the London Marathon this year.

Mr Bushnell, 30, said: "It’s such a good cause.  There's hardly anywhere in any community where people with learning disabilities can get together. 

"If it has to shut, where would everyone go?  They would be stuck in their homes with no sense of community."

Professional vocalist John Kelly, who sang at the opening ceremony of last year's Paralympic games and runs musical workshops for the Kites club, was a special guest at the event.

He said: "Disabled people need more opportunities like this, they shouldn’t be losing them."
 
Mr Rhind-Tutt, a dyslexia sufferer who was dismissed from school in 1936, said he had a "great sense of humble pride" in the Kites club and the work of the charity he founded 25 years ago in his living room in Sunnybank, on the Woodcote estate, Epsom.

He said: "Because of the number of people in the learning disabled community who use the club, we need many people to support us. 

"I know what they feel like - the headmaster told me 'we don't want you'.

"People with learning disabilities are able to grow and develop and enjoy life. 

"They need companionship and love.  Many of them live in homes and their carers can't give them a cuddle.  They need cuddles.

"Love and companionship are the things which make life worthwhile."

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