A group of energetic fundraisers braved the heat yesterday to raise £1,000 for Norwood during the annual Community Fun Run. The 25 Norwood participants included 20-year-old Fychi Dresdner, who completed the course in a wheelchair pushed by her long-term foster mum Judy Meshulam.
Fychi, who lives with Judy and the rest of the Meshulam family at their home in Golders Green, has Rett Syndrome, a regressive disease resulting in profound and multiple physical and learning disabilities, and has been supported by Norwood throughout her life.
Judy said: “Norwood has been phenomenal, and taking part in the Community Fun Run was my way of saying thank you for everything they have done. It was great to be part of such a lovely event. Fychi loved seeing all the people in costumes, and the music, she had a smile on her face all day.”
Now in its fourth year, the Community Fun Run is a major cross communal fundraising charity event organised by Maccabi GB and supporting a range of Jewish charities. Participants could choose between a one, five, or 10 kilometre course and the event, held at Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, culminated in an action-packed fun day.
The other Norwood participants were: Debbie, Ilana and Jonathan Cantor; Simon Cohen; Zach Collins; Ellena Dunne; Aneta Dynda; Benju and Rifka Elkouby; Jackie Engelberg; Craig Kent; Stuart Lesser; Victoria Mayes; Sharon Moreland; Martyn Niman; David Peters; Guido and Lorna Reidy; Sybil, Daniel and Saul Wiseman; Mayan Zucker; and Lucy Zygora.
Ian Tate, Norwood’s head of Challenges, said: “The Community Fun Run is a fantastic event which raises a lot of money for good causes, and I’d like to thank all those people who took part in aid of Norwood.”
Fychi’s story
When Fychi was five, her mother died leaving her father alone to cope with eight children. He later remarried and moved abroad, and Fychi was placed in a residential home in London which subsequently closed down. The local authority contacted Norwood, who immediately found her foster carers for a two-week emergency placement.
More than a decade later, the emergency placement with the Meshulams has become a permanent home where Fychi is provided with a safe, secure and loving family life. And Norwood was there to support them every step of the way. A designated support worker was always on hand to give the family advice and practical help, while they were able to access a range of services for children and families, including Unity, Norwood’s recreational service for young people with disabilities, and the Buckets & Spades short-breaks facility. Fychi no longer uses Norwood’s services but Judy knows she can still contact the Charity for advice if she needs it.
Judy said: “Norwood was extremely supportive and understanding, accepting each person’s way of life and taking on board their individual needs. If they hadn’t been there, the original placement may well have ended after two weeks. Instead, Fychi is now one of the family and we can’t imagine life without her.”
