Issue 19, 2013 - Balliol College - University of Oxford

college news
Balliol books raising
money for charity
Lessons in Life by Tracey Wolffe (née Gold, 1985) is an A–Z of uplifting aphorisms,
illustrated throughout by the author’s colourful, inspirational artwork. All profits are
being donated to the PACE Centre in Aylesbury, a school for children with cerebral
palsy (www.thepacecentre.org).
PACe teaches conductive education to children
with disabilities who need help with physical
skills as well as cognitive learning. tracey’s
six-year-old son has cerebral palsy, affecting
all four of his limbs and his speech. ‘this
centre has recognised his cognitive abilities
and understanding, and is using switches and
communication books, and computer technology,
to develop his communication and learning skills,’
she says.
the centre has qualified physiotherapists and
occupational therapists in every classroom, who
give the children unprecedented care, and the
very best support and opportunities. the staffpupil
ratio is very high. every member of staff
is caring and dedicated, above and beyond the
call of duty. the centre received an ‘outstanding’
rating across the board from ofsted in november
2012. Currently a primary school, PACe is raising
funds for an early years centre and hopes in time
to extend to much-needed secondary provision.
Both branches of Waterstones in Milton
Keynes have supported Lessons in Life, allowing
all proceeds to go to the charity. Altogether
including Gift Aid tracey raised £2,000 for
PACe by Christmas 2012. the book is available
for sale at www.traceywolffe.co.uk/book, and
via Amazon.
Sporting
audiobook
To appreciate the role of sport in
Oxford University life, and the role of
the University in the history of sport,
Professor Simon Lee (1976) has
compiled The Z–A of Oxford Sport,
a guide in the form of an audiobook
for which he reads all 26 parts.
Celebrating both sport itself and
specifically the University’s contribution
to and influence on the world of
sport, the recording covers history
and achievements – former students
include many gold medal winners –
and includes many fascinating
facts and amusing anecdotes,
allowing listeners to get to know
their Oxford sport from back to
front. For more information and
to purchase the audiobook, go to
www.audiogo.com/uk.
Vera Pratikaki (2012) has written and self-published a picture book for young children
called Caterpillar Pauline. The story is about dealing with bullying and Vera is donating
all the proceeds to BeatBullying, the UK’s leading bullying prevention charity.
‘BeatBullying is a great charity that offers
invaluable help to children,’ Vera explains.
‘it offers a safe, friendly and confidential
environment, where children can get the help
and support they need from trained volunteers
and professional counsellors. unfortunately,
nowadays there is often a lack of communication
in many families and children feel they have no
one to turn to when they are facing difficulties.
the programme’s “cybermentors” make them
realise that they are not alone and that there is
always someone there to listen to them.’
As a senior cybermentor – she has been
volunteering for the charity since 2010 – Vera
tries to help children overcome their problems
by boosting their self-esteem in order to make
them believe in themselves: ‘due to bullying, the
children tend to define themselves according to
what others think about them,’ she says. ‘When
they gain self-confidence, however, they are able
to accept themselves and become the masters
of their own lives.’ Having seen at first-hand
what the scheme offers and what a difference
it can make to children who are suffering from
being bullied, she wanted to find a way to raise
money for the charity and so wrote Caterpillar
Pauline. she hopes the book, a ‘celebration of
individuality’ and ‘a story of acceptance and
uniqueness’, will help the children who read it:
‘i believe that stories are a powerful way to shape
new attitudes and bring about change, so i hope
that this story will help raise children’s awareness
about the problem as a way of stopping it.
Furthermore, my story has an empowering
message. i wrote it to help those already
being bullied to accept and love
themselves. i hope that the
book will help them smile
again and encourage
them to enjoy life to
the fullest.’
Vera has raised over
£1,000 from the sales of
her book and has donated
it all to BeatBullying.
More information about
Vera and her work can
be found on her website,
www.verapratikaki.co.uk. the
book is available for sale via Amazon.
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