Betty's Birthday
Betty Gittings is a local Manchester resident, a treasured supporter and Friend of Springboard. Betty held her 75th birthday party and generously asked people to donate to Springboard for Children instead of receiving gifts and raised a spectacular £955.
We spoke to Betty to find out what inspires her and why literacy is so important in her life:
What were your happy memories of school life?
I was a chronic asthmatic as a child, so I didn’t go to school very much. Due to my time off, it was impossible to keep up with the other children. I found literacy extremely difficult.
What did you find most challenging to learn at school?
There was no additional support back then, so if you fell behind that was it. My heart goes out to children with literacy problems, because I know exactly what they must be going through.
Has poor literacy affected you in your adult life?
It has been very, very difficult for me. I couldn’t spell or put words together. When I got married my husband took over all of the things that needed to be written down, but when he died I couldn’t even write a cheque. I did go to adult literacy classes in the last 10 years, and now I can put words together, I can write a cheque, and I can write letters.
How did you first hear about Springboard for Children?
A girl called Laura who lives on my road was a volunteer for Springboard in Manchester and then I also got to know Joyce (one of the Manchester Team). So I asked them both what Springboard was, and when I found out it helped children with their literacy I immediately asked what I could do to help raise funds.
What would you say to other people who were thinking about holding a fundraising event for Springboard?
Just do it! Go ahead and do it, because if children fall behind with literacy it can be a big drawback later in life. So just do it, raise as much money as you can, even if it is a small amount - every little helps.
