MASKS

MASKS (Make A Special Kid Smile) was founded in May 2005 and is fully committed to supporting The Vale Federation of special schools in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire (Booker Park and Stocklake Park schools).

We are a small, local, registered charity which provides the means to enhance and improve the lives of the students aged between 3 and 19 years who have a range of complex needs:-

• Moderate, severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties
• Autism
• Communication difficulties
• Sensory impairments

MASKS supports the emotional and physical well-being of the individual child and their families/carers, by using funds raised to provide opportunities otherwise unavailable to them, helping them to realise their potential by giving them social experiences which will build their confidence, support their educational advancement and encourage as much future independence as possible.

With over 300 students across the Federation the MASKS team is constantly striving to fundraise in as many ways as possible.  PTA events, quiz nights, individuals taking on challenges, sponsored events, local community/business involvement and support from other organisations all contribute to enhancing the lives of the children at the schools.

Over recent years MASKS has helped fund items such as a Multi-Use Games Area, a school mini bus, sensory equipment, a large climbing castle, library books and a whole school outing to last year’s pantomime at the Waterside Theatre.

If you would like more information about the Charity, or can support us in any way, please contact Booker Park School office on 01296 427 221 or masks@thevalefederation.com

Fundraising Update – Summer 2024

Ready, Steady…. GO!

 This summer we are getting ready for the Olympics! During Summer Term we will be having special events across the school to raise money for much-needed specialist technology for communication, including eye-gaze technology, specialist switches, and specialist software. Our pupils all communicate in their own ways, and we want to make sure we have the right technology available to help them find their voice. We know that they have plenty to say!

As part of this fundraising, we are delighted to have the support of National Grid, who have named MASKS as one of their beneficiaries for their Blyth to Bicker Fen Charity Bike Ride.

A mini marathon at Booker Park has taken place and huge congratulations to those staff and pupils involved. Pupils ran an impressive 2.6 miles collectively to contribute to the fundraising efforts. If you haven’t yet donated to this and would like to, please click on the purple ‘Just Giving’ link on the right of this webpage to make a donation.

Finally, Helen Sutherland, SALT Team Lead, and Bradley Taylor, Principal, will be adding to the fundraising effort and ending the summer term on a high – literally, as they cycle and run over the Surrey Hills and South Downs Way as part of an 70.3 mile Castle to Coast Triathlon challenge beginning in Windsor and ending on Brighton Sea Front. To read more about Helen and Bradley’s challenge, or to donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/maskscastletocoast. Alternatively, you can donate to MASKS using the purple ‘Just Giving’ link on the right of this webpage.