(UK) Norfolk: $3M donation to be used for 2 school-based autism resource centers

June 3, 2025, Fakenham Times:  Businessman funds school support for Norfolk children with autism 

E. England

Norfolk County Council has agreed to accept a £2.2m [$3M] donation from the Cullum Family Trust, set up by Norwich-born businessman Peter Cullum, CBE, to create two new specialist resource bases in association with the National Autistic Society.

The trust would put £1.1m [$1.5M] into the new bases, which would be known as Cullum Centres, at each school - with County Hall providing the remaining £2.5m [$3.4M] cost.

Each base would have spaces for 25 children. The county council will need to secure planning permission for the bases, but hopes they can open in September next year.

The Conservative-run cabinet at County Hall agreed to accept the donation at a meeting on Monday (June 2).

County councillor Fran Whymark said: "I really welcome this report. Keeping people in their own community is really important.

"My son has autism and we fought to keep him in our local school. It made a massive difference because he remained part of the community.

"They need a different approach, sometimes, or a different amount of support.

"I think this gives them what they need to remain in the community and learn, as every child should have the opportunity."

Andrew Jamieson, the council's deputy leader, thanked the Cullum Family Trust for the "significant" contribution.

He said: "It is well known that the special school system remains under significant pressure and strain.

"This will help to mitigate that, so I am extremely grateful for this £2.2m external investment."

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