A MOST DETERMINED LADY

Katrina Bijowski, who lives in Ickenham, has been awarded the coveted Swakeleys House Shield for 2011.  The Shield is awarded annually to the person or organisation that – in the opinion of the Ickenham Festival Committee - has shown particular ‘commitment to the spirit of the Festival’.  For more than a decade Katrina has been actively involved in raising funds to assist children with special needs and their families to enjoy a better life.  She formed the charity ‘Karers 4 Kidz’ with the help of her husband Chris and friend Chris Nixon and, despite suffering serious illness for the past eighteen months, has continued to strive for that cause and has been principally instrumental in raising an impressive £250,000. 

Katrina’s original motivation came from dealing with her daughter Emma who was born with cerebral palsy.  Despite Emma’s illness, she was able to attend local schools and, now aged 20, is attending a residential college.  Thanks largely to Katrina’s drive, two years ago Emma’s primary school, Oak Farm in Hillingdon, was provided with the purpose-built ‘Rocket Park’, complete with a yo-yo swing, roundabout and slide all suitable for use by those with disabilities.  There are picnic tables and specially designed roads so that wheelchairs users can practise their wheelchair skills. 

Abbotsfield School has also benefitted from her attention.  Thanks to Katrina and the many other causes and individuals encouraged by her drive, this school now has a garden and an arts centre (and she is now attempting to raise £20,000 for a new toilet block), all focused on disabled and disadvantaged children.  Grangewood School in Eastcote has also been helped by her unique fund-raising abilities. 

In her tireless pursuit of funds for these and other related projects in the locality, Katrina has approached a wide variety of potential sources.  The Wooden Spoon rugby charity and the Peter Harrison Foundation have been very generous, as has Barclays Bank.  Huge support has come from several Masonic Lodges, Hillingdon Council and its Chrysalis Fund.  Husband and keen supporter Chris is a golfer (when he gets time) so Wyke Green Golf Club has been pleased to participate.  The Ickenham Festival team was privileged to organise Ferret Racing Nights for the cause.  There are more contributors touched by her drive and enthusiasm, perhaps too many to mention, but their support has been more than worthwhile and much appreciated. 

And the list continues to grow – as organisations and individuals all discover with Katrina’s encouragement that they can help to make life better and more independent for children in the locality with special needs.  If ever an award was deserved by its recipient, it’s the Swakeleys House Shield by Katrina Bijowski.

If you would like to make a contribution towards this worthwhile charity, send a cheque made out to ‘Karers 4 Kids’, to Chris Nixon at 7 Bellamy Close, Ickenham, Middlesex UB10 8SJ.  Thank you.