Santander donation boosts education for deaf children

Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education has received £2,220 to fund new equipment for its Sensory Pod to support students’ physical and emotional development needs.

The donation was provided by the Santander Foundation, which offers grants to UK registered charities for projects that help disadvantaged people in local communities.

The much needed equipment includes a touch activated bubble tube, a UV lamp, soft play items and a play tunnel. The donation supports the work of the Deaf Academy’s Occupational Therapy Team who are already starting to see positive results as the equipment becomes incorporated in their weekly specialist therapy sessions.

Laura Board, Community and Corporate Fundraiser at Exeter Deaf Academy said: “We were elated when we found out our grant application had been successful. Our Sensory Pod is a vital tool to support our students’ varying needs and it’s fantastic that the Santander Foundation has been able help improve this facility and our students’ experiences.”

Anita Piper at Santander’s Honiton branch said: “The Santander Foundation makes hundreds of donations every year to good causes throughout the UK. Our branch is committed to playing a key part in the community and we are delighted to be supporting Exeter Deaf Academy and hope the donation makes a real difference to the Deaf Academy’s students.”

In 2013 the Santander Foundation donated £5 million to charities across the UK.