Maureen's big day at Windsor Castle

We reported recently that Maureen had been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours (June ‘24) and yesterday (16th October) she received the award from HRH Prince William.

Maureen with her much-deserved MBE

Accompanied on the day by Theresa, Tania and their families and friends, this special occasion was rounded off with a celebratory lunch.

As Maureen said when the award was made public, “I am shocked, humbled and deeply honoured to have been awarded the MBE. I accept it on behalf of the Fund, its dedicated trustees, past and present and the very many friends and family who have helped establish, run and support our charity over many years”.

This is a well-deserved award for Maureen and the Devereux family, whose resilience and energy continues to motivate us all to support the continued education of young people in Liberia.

Trustees visit to Liberia-2024

Later this month, Mark and Theresa, along with Suzanne, will be visiting Liberia. These visits are so important for the Fund, allowing as it does an opportunity to get alongside our volunteers and, most importantly, see first-hand the schools and children that benefit from your support.

We will publish a full report on our website when they return, as well as in a newsletter.

In the meantime, and following the successful fund-raising last Friday (11/10), here are a few pictures that remind us all of who those funds directly benefit. It is important to remember that children would not attend school without these funds and the very fabric of the Brewerville school is maintained and enhanced by supporter money.

Maureen Devereux-MBE

We are delighted to announce that Maureen, our Co-Founder, Patron and Trustee, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, 2024 (announced today 15th June).

“I am shocked, humbled and deeply honoured to have been awarded the MBE. I accept it on behalf of the Fund, its dedicated trustees, past and present and the very many friends and family who have helped establish, run and support our charity over many years. Your  generosity and kindness have meant that we have been able to continue Sean’s work in Africa despite the tragic events that befell him and our family. As a result, many destitute and impoverished  children in Africa have benefited.

The essence of Sean lives on in us today more surely than his death, to keep his vision alive and The Sean Devereux Children’s Fund  continues  to help less fortunate  Children in Africa ” said Maureen.


Schools supporting SDCF

In recent days we have been enormously grateful to both Salesian College Farnborough and Blessed William Howard Catholic High School, Stafford for their support for the fund.

In the space of a couple of days, Salesian Farnborough contributed with their Annual Run for Sean and we were given the huge privilege of talking to the entire school in Stafford about the life and legacy of Sean.

Nothing would have given Sean more pleasure than seeing hundreds of young people taking part in these activities, in so doing helping young people in Liberia who live in very difficult circumstances.

Both schools gave their time and raised money and we are grateful to the young people and their teachers who made it all possible.

Salesian College "Run for Sean 2023"

As ever we are very grateful to the Year 7 age group at Salesian Farnborough who once again are taking part in the Run for Sean, this year on October 10th.

This annual event is a vibrant contribution from the staff and pupils at Farnborough and we thank them in advance for their efforts.

If you would like to make a donation of any sort in support of their efforts, you can do so securely by clicking HERE

Walk for Sean 2023

A huge thank you to everyone who braved a chilly Spring day to complete the WFS last Sunday ( 5th). At the time of writing this important fundraiser has raised £3333 and we are confident of more sponsorship/donations to come.

Once again it was a great family day as 100 people (plus almost as many dogs) walked a 5km route that started at the Sean Devereux 6th Form Centre.

It was lovely and fitting that Brother Michael Delmer, Sean’s headteacher and biographer, filed the “starting pistol” for the walk that marked the 30th Anniversary of Sean’s death. We were also really pleased that Maureen, Theresa and Rosie could join us on the day.

Obviously we have a lot of thanks:

  • To those who undertook the “30 for 30” challenge

  • To our patron, Raquel Cassidy, who walked the walk on the day

  • To the school team, including the young team of marshalls who gave us access to the buildings and kept us safe on the day

  • To the Salesian PTA who gave up their Sunday afternoon to provide refreshments

  • To Laura Chatterton for her photos

  • To all walkers, sponsors, donors and other volunteers.

As a rough guide, £3333 can help to give a tear’s education to more than 30 children in Liberia.

What an achievement and one that really honours Sean’s legacy!

Company Donation

We would like to than Redbrain for a very generous corporate donation following the recent Quiz Night.

This highly innovative company have a great record of Charitable support and they have been impressed by the work of the Fund.

There are many ways companies can help and one highly innovative one is via EasyFundraising.

If your company buys travel, stationery, packaging, janitorial suuplies etc and uses an online account with a company credit card, you can help the Charity. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ and choose the Sean Devereux Children’s Fund as your charity. There are many business suppliers like Euroffice and it doesn’t cost your company a penny!

A very big Thank You to the team at Redbrain!