Mary Loran is an eRotary member. She is married to John, immediate past President of R.C Royal Wootton Bassett and District. Mary has been a volunter at Uplands for nearly a year. Here is her report on the activities undertaken at Uplands School.

“I have been going with Tim and Lynne to Uplands school to help with an Interact club for nearly a year now. At first it was rather daunting, having not worked with the young disabled before, but they are no different from working with the hundreds of children I have looked after in my career when all is said and done. They love new people and doing new things. It has been a slow and steady start getting to know some of the teachers, helpers and students.

We decided to support the Roll out the Barrel campaign and make a quilt to sell or auction, with the students painting on 8 inch squares (sorry I haven’t gone metric yet!). We now have around a hundred squares ready for me to put together, so watch this space for the finished article!”

And there is more…….. because Mary also works a volunteer at the Uplands School Charity Shop.

“This is an amazing shop near the Redlands village centre,Swindon, opposite Uplands school back entrance. It is run very capably by Barbara, who told me yesterday they are making a very good profit now. Of that I am not surprised, only perfect items are put up for sale, the rest goes for recycling elsewhere. The shop is clean and it doesn’t have that jumble sale smell!!!”

“I go and help out on a Thursday morning for just 2 hours. There is always a group of about 6 students and their teachers there sorting clothes and putting the best on hangers, and pricing them, they also make all the puzzles that come in, test the toys and even work the till, serving customers. We have a break for coffee which they help to make and wash up afterwards. What do I do? Just help out with it all, encourage them to focus and just be another contact with another person. It is a happy place with customers, staff and other students popping in and out”

So if this inspires any of you, come and buy, look around. If you would like to get involved get in touch with Mary, Lynne or Tim. More help is needed