Usually a child will stay on the same night every week. The

upheaval of taking a youngster out of their routine can present

huge challenges. Staff therefore do as much as possible

to ensure kids are made to feel at home.

Rooms are equipped with toys, bedding, DVDs and other

favourite items. Beaulieu House allows parents, carers and

even siblings a much-needed break from the demands of the

children. In some cases they may have gone years without a

night off. Activities at Beaulieu include arts and craft, computer

games and a sensory room. The kids also enjoy regular

trips out.

Friends of Beaulieu House is a charity set up to raise funds

and support the children and families. It was formed by parents

and volunteers and has proved a massive success story.

Money donated by the group goes towards new facilities

and equipment such as televisions. Last month 220 women

signed up to a night walk through Shanklin Chine.

Participants were charged an entrance donation, which

included a burger and drink. Thanks to big-hearted sponsors,

the group had already raised £1,000 before even setting off

from Sandown.

Chine owner Ann Springman waived the usual entrance fee

for all those taking part. Charity patron Mark King of Level 42

welcomed everyone and praised the work of Beaulieu House.

Sponsor money is still flowing in, with grateful staff left

stunned by the response. It is hoped the cash raised will go

towards replacing the minibus. A second walk is planned for

next June, with dates to be announced on the website. Pop

maestro Mark has also launched a charitable online auction

to help rake in further money. He has donated four unique

music-related items in a bid to boost the appeal. Up for

grabs are:

• Limited edition Ashdown Mk500 anniversary bass amplifier

with 24ct gold plated front

• Mark’s original Kingbass mk1 guitar which has been used

on Level 42 tour • A framed and signed superwound funkmaster

tour commemorative award given to Mark by Live

Nation to celebrate Level 42’s 40th anniversay tour • Finally,

another rare framed picture can be viewed at www.facebook.

com/level42official

If you want to bid then go to eBay and search “Original Status

KingBass mk1 no. 004” You can also view Mark’s presentation

about Beaulieu House on his website: www.level42.

com

So far bids totalling over £8,600 have been made. Further

donations take the total to over £11,000. To learn

more about Beaulieu House go to temporary website:

www.4beaulieuhouse.co.uk