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National Star College - Star Appeal
Over the past four decades the lives of hundreds of disabled young people have been changed for the better thanks to a nationally-renowned educational facility nestled in the heart of Gloucestershire. For 40 years, The National Star College has been giving disabled youngsters a vital helping hand in their bid to lead more independent lives. Now they have launched their most ambitious fund-raising appeal to date - The Star Appeal. The Star Appeal aims to raise £15.4m in order to support the college's much needed development plans. It is an ambitious target, but one that with your help the charity hopes to achieve. The National Star College and their specialist staff have enabled hundreds of students to gain the confidence, self-esteem and the skills that enable them to make the most of what adult life has to offer. "At the college we work in partnership with our students," stressed college Principal, Helen Sexton. "We encourage them to develop their own voices, to see themselves as a person in their own right and to take control over their lives. We've seen our students achieve amazing things as a result." The appeal has already gained the support of internationally renowned figures such as Professor Stephen Hawking who recently met with a number of the college's students prior to his appearance at the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Many students at the college have highly complex, life-threatening or life-limiting conditions and face difficulties with mobility, communication, memory, and understanding. They are reliant on high levels of assistance and support, but each and every student shares one goal: the desire to take control of their lives and look toward a future of possibilities. With improved skills, wellbeing and self-confidence, over 50% of the students are able to move forward to independent or semi-independent living when they leave the college. "Over the years thousands of people have brought their talents and creativity to what can be challenging and intensive work," said college Principal Helen Sexton. "But as a charity, all of this has only been made possible by our many supporters who go out of their way to help raise the funds we rely upon to offer our specialist facilities." Despite the numerous achievements, the college continues to face enormous challenges. The growing number of students in attendance with increasingly complex disabilities means that resources are overstretched and the facilities outdated. The success of The Star Appeal is therefore vital to the lives of future generations of disabled young people at the college. To find out more about The Star Appeal or to make a donation please visit www.starappeal.org or contact (01242) 524478. National Star College students meet Professer Stephen Hawking. 
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