Archie’s marathon walk is coming up — trekking from South Shields to North Shields, home of Addison Street Short Break Care Home, via Newcastle — followed the next week by a special night at Tommy’s local club, Westholme Farm Club, featuring raffles, performances from True Colours.
It marks the latest and most determined push to complete Tommy’s Den, a sensory garden project being built in memory of Thomas “Tommy” Wardle.
Addison Street Short Break Care Home is a specialist short break care service based in North Shields.
The home provides planned respite care for up to five children and young people aged 6–17 with disabilities. It offers families vital short breaks while ensuring children are cared for in a safe, specially adapted environment tailored to their individual needs.
The service supports children with complex needs, providing structured care, activities and a nurturing setting designed to promote wellbeing, development and enjoyment.
For many families across North Tyneside, Addison Street is not just a service — it is essential support.
It is within this setting that the idea for a dedicated sensory breakout garden first emerged.
Friends and families connected to Addison Street are raising £13,500 to create a dedicated sensory breakout garden room for the children who attend the North Shields short break service.
In their appeal, they describe their mission:
“To raise the funds ourselves, to provide a sensory / breakout garden room which would benefit all children who attend A.S short break care service.”
They describe the vision as a space that will offer:
“A safe, sensory stimulating and tranquil environment where children can return to a happy and calm baseline state during challenging periods.”
The garden room will also be used for small group activities and solo play, creating an outdoor setting that can be enjoyed at all times.
Allocated funding for the home, they say, is limited.
“Unfortunately the home’s allocated funds are limited and would not stretch enough to accommodate the idea… so it’s up to us to do as much as possible to bring our dream to life.”
The fundraising effort has already captured the spirit of the service. So far, £1,500 has been raised — including what the group fondly describe as “a Disney dollar and a packet of Quavers,” donated during a supermarket bag pack by “one of our cheeky little chappies” who negotiated part of a customer’s shopping when she had no change.
A parent has also completed a gruelling 5K obstacle race in support of the appeal.
But the campaign carries a deeper meaning.
The sensory space has been named Tommy’s Den in memory of Thomas Wardle — known to many simply as Tommy — who dedicated more than 20 years of service to Addison Street.
The group describe their heartbreak at his sudden illness and passing:
“Our hearts were broken to learn of Thomas’ short illness and devastating passing. He played a huge role in caring for our children and supporting staff for over 20 years.”
They add:
“It seems only natural that our vision, which he was very excited by and encouraging of, be dedicated to his memory.”
Tommy’s Den, they say, will be:
“A place for the children and staff to enjoy forever more.”
The community has already rallied behind the campaign, and fundraising events are continuing in the weeks ahead.
Those wishing to support the appeal can donate via the official JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/anna-mcconville-3
