"Keep It Real" and Make A Difference!

11-18 October 2008 Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales' will celebrate their second cerebral palsy awareness week. The week is aimed at increasing understanding and awareness of cerebral palsy throughout Wales, as well as raising vital funds for Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales. It costs over £800,000 a year to keep the Centre open for Welsh children who benefit from the provision of specialist Bobath therapy.

The theme of the week is 'Keep It Real', a phrase which reflects the real difference Bobath therapy makes to the lives of children who have cerebral palsy. During cerebral palsy awareness week we will be celebrating the real achievements of our children and their families, and asking the general public to be aware of real cerebral palsy facts:

• Every 6 hours a child is born in the UK who will have cerebral palsy.
• Cerebral palsy is the number one disability in children in the world.
• Any woman who is pregnant could have a child who will have cerebral palsy; there is no test and there are no 'at risk' groups.
• Cerebral palsy is not declining, largely due to number of babies who survive being born prematurely.
• Cerebral palsy can affect movement, sensation, perception, and cognition, communication, eating and drinking. In some children all of these functions may be affected.

Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales helps over 200 children throughout Wales who have cerebral palsy, but we know that there are even more children in Wales who need us that we are not yet seeing.

Cerebral palsy awareness week would not be possible without the tremendous support of our sponsors, supporters and volunteers. We would particularly like to thank Park House Club, Mermaid Quay, Folio Typographics, Castle Galleries, Jump and Sport Cardiff.

Join in cerebral palsy awareness week and help us to make a real and positive difference to children in Wales who have cerebral palsy!

6 ways to 'Keep It Real' during Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week

• Promote the week: Give the week a mention in your work's newsletter, display our publications in your community, or simply tell your friends and family some of our real cerebral palsy facts!
• Make a Donation or Sponsor A Child: Every penny helps us to make a difference to children in Wales who have cerebral palsy.
• Volunteer Your Time: We need help to steward and collect money at a number of our cerebral palsy awareness week events. Contact Emma Bennetts, 029 20522600.
• Take Part! Why not join us for one of our cerebral palsy awareness week events and make a difference to children in Wales who have cerebral palsy.
• Nominate a Business for a Community Excellence Award: Why not nominate a business that provides an outstanding service to people who have disabilities.
• Organise a Fundraising Activity: Get creative and organise a fancy dress day at work, cake sale or get sponsored to have your head shaved. The possibilities are endless.

Events During Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week