Help save our Ewan's pre-school: Parents fight to keep centre for deaf open

Published Date: 12 May 2009

By Sarah Kelly, in the Halifx Courier

PARENTS are fighting to save the pre-school that helped their little boy overcome his severe hearing problems.

Ewan Bell, of Bell Hall Mount, Halifax, was diagnosed as deaf and fitted with hearing aids when he was 18 months old.

Thanks to a pre-school run by the Elizabeth Foundation, his parents, Paul and Andrea, say he has thrived.

He has learned to talk and – now four – Ewan is developing so well, he is about to start mainstream school. But the pre-school that helped him cannot get the funds to stay open.

Mr and Mrs Bell are working with other parents who have children at the Bradford school – which also caters for tots in Calderdale and Hudd-ersfield – to raise cash.

Mr Bell, an IT consultant, said: "If Ewan hadn't had the help he's had at the Elizabeth Foundation I don't know if he would have developed as quickly or if he'd have been ready for a mainstream school.

"Ewan has been spending two days a week at the Elizabeth Foundation
where he has flourished.

"The staff have been incredible in helping him to talk and improving his communication skills."

Ewan is due to go to Copley Primary School, which brother Callum, nine, attends.

The pre-school needs £120,000 a year running costs and parents are hoping businesses and other sponsors will step in.

Anyone interested in sponsoring should e-mail margaret. southern@eliza
beth-foundation.org or call 01274 382282