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Deaf choir make a joyful noise as carol season starts at shopping centre
| Author: Alistair Syme | Published: 10th December 2019 14:24 |
Youngsters from the Ipswich Deaf Children's Society brought Christmas cheer to shoppers when they sang and signed festive favourites at a busy shopping centre.
The choir of hearing impaired children kicked off a month-long series of Christmas carols and songs to get visitors to Sailmakers Shopping Centre into the festive spirit.
It was the first time Ipswich Deaf Children's Society, which provides support for around 40 hearing impaired children, aged from two to 13, along with their families, had performed in front of a crowd.
Fundraiser Rachael Steward, from Stowmarket, whose five year old son Leo has had moderately severe hearing loss since birth, said: "The children really enjoyed it. They had never done anything like this before so it was really exciting.
"They were singing and signing. We have a communication support worker who had filmed themselves signing the songs and given us copies so the children had been able to practice at home.
"We also had adults from the Ipswich Deaf Society joining in as well as some staff from the hearing unit at Rushmere Hall Primary School.
"The three songs they [erformed were Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, and Merry Christmas Everyone by Shakin' Stevens."
Their performance kicked off a cavalcade of carollers at Sailmakers where Castle Hill School have also appeared and they will be followed this week by Halifax Primary School and the Reggae Choir on Thursday, Ukulele Spirit on Saturday, the St Elizabeth Hospice Christmas Service on Sunday and next week Funky Voices on Thursday, December 19, Suffolk Male Voice Choir on Friday, December 20, and The VIP's Acapella Chorus on Saturday, December 21.
Sailmakers Centre Manager Mike Sorhaindo said: "We were delighted to have the Deaf Children's Society here to kick off a fantastic line-up of carol-singers and choirs for this Christmas.
"They have created a special atmosphere in the Centre to really kick off our festive shopping season."
Rachael and her son got involved with Ipswich Deaf Children's Society around 12 months ago after the charity was recommended to her by Leo's specially assigned Teacher of the Deaf.
As well as enjoying the fun events they organise and being able to share experiences with other parents, Rachael says the energy shown by the chairman Richard Platt was inspiring and led to her becoming the charity's sole fundraiser.
She explained: "The chairman is profoundly deaf and so are three of his five children.
"He's so enthusiastic. It's all about helping the children to do or achieve anything they want and to make everything accessible to them.
"Every half-term we arrange to do something and have parties. The charity runs swimming lessons every Saturday morning with instructors who have all had deaf awareness training and can use sign language.
"Some children have implants and once they take them out they can't hear anything so it's important they feel confident and safe in the water.
"For Leo and the other children it's nice for them to see and be around other kids with hearing aids. They love it.
"And for us parents it's fantastic to be able to talk and learn about things you may not have known. It's a real support network."
This year Rachael has organised two major fundraising events which have led to the charity amassing around £7,000 - enough for them to take the children on a trip of a lifetime.
She explained: "In May half-term we're going to take the children to Disneyland Paris. Including adults there will be about 60 of us altogether.
"The children can't wait. We held a sponsored swimathon in May and raised £2,000.
"We had 26 children taking part and had initially set a target of 100 lengths and they ended up doing 212 which was amazing.
"Then we organised a skydive for 10 adults which raised about £5,000 so we had enough for the trip.
"We've already got plans in place for fundraising next year. On July 11 we're having a Great Gatsby themed summer ball at Ipswich Town Football Club, which tickets are now available for."
If you would like more information about Ipswich Deaf Children's Society email ipswichdeafchildren@outlook.com
For more on what's happening at Sailmakers Shopping Centre go to www.sailmakersshopping.co.uk and to https://www.facebook.com/SailmakersShopping
Caption: Ipswich Deaf Children's Choir have been entertaining shoppers at Sailmakers Shopping Centre.
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