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On Friday 14th May, Bishop Richard Moth led a Service of Thanksgiving at Arundel Cathedral for Amanda Worne’s term of service as Chair of Arun District Council. Amanda has been Chair in an extraordinary year, and as well as leading the Council by zoom, has been fundraising for her chosen charity, PACSO, the Parents and Carers Support Organisation. PACSO was represented at the service by Clare Elkington, Chair of Trustees, and Anna Pope, a parent representative (seen in the attached photo with Bishop Richard and Councillor Amanda Worne).

PACSO is a West Sussex charity that supports children and young people aged 0-25 with any kind of disability or additional need. By providing afterschool clubs, weekend and holiday play opportunities for disabled children and their siblings, the charity provides crucial respite for carers. Families with or without a formal diagnosis of a disability are welcome to join PACSO at any time.

Amanda is a wheelchair user and understands the daily challenges and frustrations this can bring. PACSO beneficiaries may have learning or physical disabilities, complex health, and social/communication difficulties. Many children require 1-1 care, and a nurse, due to medical or behavioural challenges.

PACSO has encouraged children to feel part of a community, to have improved emotional wellbeing, and to make friends, since 1999.

On Sunday 16th May, Amanda challenged herself with an incredible 24-hour wheelchair marathon in Bognor, wheeling 53 miles in 24 hours to raise vital funds for PACSO. The charity is looking forward to showing Bishop Richard Moth their Summer Playscheme, held for four weeks at Fordwater special school in Chichester.

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