The Driftwood Spars pub, in St Agnes, Cornwall, has donated £1,500 to surf therapy charity The Wave Project in order to fund a place for eight-year-old local boy, Seb Crosby-Moore.
Wave Project youngsters and volunteers take to the surf
Eight-year-old Seb was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of three. He has undergone extensive and successful surgery, plus treatment including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, allowing him to live a full life.
However, because of his health challenges and extended periods in hospital, Seb lags behind in physical ability and confidence, in comparison to his peers.
Like his mother, Abby, who is a marine biologist, Seb loves the water. But spending time in the sea is particularly difficult, although it would be highly beneficial to his physical and mental health and help him to socialise with his friends.
Abby said: “Seb’s health challenges have created a barrier between him and the sea, and subsequently our whole family, throughout his childhood. As his friends and classmates become more confident in and around the water, Seb is missing out on one of the major benefits of a childhood spent on the Cornish coast.”
The presentation at the Driftwood Spars
The £1,500 raised by the Driftwood Spars will cover the referral fee for Seb and several others to join The Wave Project, a pioneering surf therapy programme for young people which aims to change lives through surfing.
And, thanks to the Big Give Campaign, the donation, made this week, was doubled to £3,000. This is a significant amount which will help up to 19 other children and young people follow in Seb’s footsteps in the coming years.
Fred Andrews, of The Wave Project, said: “Seb is due to start with us next spring, and we’re already looking forward to
working with Community Connect to identify other children in the St Agnes area who could benefit from participating in the project.
“As a charity, our aim is to give as many young people as possible access to the therapeutic benefits of surfing, and I can’t wait to see Seb out there enjoying himself in the waves!”
Each year, the Driftwood Spars raises money for a different cause through various events, including quiz nights, raffles, and an unwanted Christmas gift exchange. On top of this, 10p from every pint sold of the pub’s own Spars
beer goes into the fundraising pot.
