David Ruffley MP has today given his backing to the Friends of Riverwalk a newly formed charity with the aim of raising £15,000 per year to fund the annual summer school play scheme at Riverwalk School.

Riverwalk is a school catering for children with severe and profound learning difficulties from across Suffolk. Many have autistic spectrum disorder, whilst others have complex physical needs and suffer from chronic illness.

The play scheme runs for four weeks of the summer school holiday. The aim is to provide children with a fun and friendship in a safe environment.

The charity is officially launching on Wednesday 18 October at 1.30pm.

David said:

'Riverwalk School provides a vital service in our community and I am delighted that after a year of hard work Friends of Riverwalk has been formed and granted charity status.

'The costs of running the summer play scheme are very high; it costs approximately £55 per day per pupil, and while patents contribute a small amount towards the scheme the rest of the money needs to be raised through donations.

'I wish them every success in their fund raising and the best of luck for their official launch on 18 October.'