Ian and Nicki with MP Eric Pickles when he visited the premises.
How will the salon be funded?
We are currently registering with the Charity Commissioners to become a registered charity. This has become extremely time consuming and has prevented us to be granted with Government Funds. Due to the demand for Spargoland to be opened, Ian and I decided two months ago to raise the £57,500 ourselves to build Spargoland and the monies that we will then need to run per year. We can then apply through funding companies when our charity number becomes available.
We received information last week that Brentwood County High School has chosen Spargoland to be their annual charity, in which they dedicate one day a year to have a non-uniform day and their sixth form hold events to additionally raise money. We also hold an Annual Ball every November for Spargoland and in the Summer now annually, host an event with our Patron, Anna Kennedy OBE, where we use 50% of the money raised for Spargoland and the other 50% goes towards Anna Kennedy Online UK charity, support she does for families and also her new performing arts projects, such as ‘Autism’s Got Talent’. We will also have clients of Spargo taking on fund raising activities as well as local clubs in the area.
We spoke with Anna Kennedy and asked her about her new role as Patron. She told us:
Anna Kennedy OBE
“Excited to be Patron of Spargoland, since this is a new innovative project where the first SEN hairdressing Salon and nail cutting Bar will be launched. Lots of interest already with reference to this project. I wish there was a salon when Patrick and Angelo were younger, they both sure would have had good haircuts instead of my creations! Good Luck Spargoland!”
How can people help to support you?
Volunteering to work within the Salon, as well as taking on fundraising activities. Spargoland will not be charging a fee for their services, but seek a donation. This means Spargoland is affordable to everyone who has a disability.
Can you tell me a little more about the forthcoming charity ball?
Our charity ball is taking place on 14 November at Orsett Hall in Essex. We had 350 tickets which include a 3 course meal, entertainment, raffle and auctions, which were sold within 2 weeks of going on sale.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Our summer event with Anna Kennedy Online is celebrity side vs Spurs Legends which is being held at Bishops Stortford Football Club in August. We are having a date confirmed this week. This event will hopefully raise enough money for us to buy all of our building equipment and sensory items, as we are starting our refit in August.
We also have a charity cricket match at Shenfield Cricket club being organised as well as a charity golf day. Early next year, a fashion show is being organised with our other Patron, Harry Derbidge. This event we are not only looking to raise money but also bring more awareness to hidden disabilities by having children and adults with SEN, model clothes borrowed from TOWIE shops in Brentwood.
My co-founder Ian Marshall is doing a sky dive on 19 July in Ashford and is also taking part in a Triathlon on 9 August at Excel to raise money too.
I would very much like to thank Nicki for taking the time to answer our questions and wish Spargoland the very best of luck, and we will keep you updated with the latest developments.
You can find more information about Spargoland via:
Jo Worgan is a published author, writer and blogger. She has a degree in English Literature. She writes about life with her youngest son who is on the autistic spectrum. Jo is also a freelance columnist for the Lancaster Guardian. ‘My Life with Tom, Living With Autism‘ is her second book and a culmination of her blog posts, and available on Kindle now, along with her first book, Life on the Spectrum. The Preschool years.
