MEMBERS of Badshot Lea Infants School are hugely grateful to local charity, Chloe’s and Sophie’s Special Ears Fund, after its generous donation of £10,000 worth of SoundCloud – a donation that will make a huge difference to pupils with a hearing impairment.

Chloe’s and Sophie’s Special Ears Fund, founded by Karen and Brian Jackson, parents to Chloe and Sophie, is a small charity aiming to raise deaf awareness in the community of Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.

The charity enhances the sound acoustics in classrooms of deaf children in mainstream schools by providing resources, materials and equipment.

“The school contacted us as they heard about another school in Hale who has had this done, said Karen. “I knew there was other ways we could help improve the acoustics but I didn’t think they would make any difference to the school.”

“I could only see one solution and that was the installation of SoundCloud. I visited the room previously and I couldn’t understand the person standing right next to me talking – I was really struggling to hear anything, the sound was lost.

“I went back following the installation and it is just wonderful, I can really hear a difference. Before a deaf child would be leaning in because they were focusing really hard, now they are more relaxed. I can tell it has really helped the pupils.

“If other schools, individuals or families have children with a hearing impairment and need support they can come to us.”

Gemma Ball, headteacher at Badshot Lea Infants School, added: “We have two children with hearing impairments at our school – it improves the acoustics within the classrooms.

“I was put in touch with Karen through a friend of a friend, she came to the school and said that the acoustics were awful and she wanted to help us straight away. We are very grateful, also to The Woolly Shepherd for suppling the SoundCloud.

“We have also added it in our hallways, it’s made a huge difference not only to the two children but to the whole school. It is just great news.”