Children dream of helping hand

Shaun Powers and Annie-May Hoyle have something in common: Their lives could be improved with the help of some specialist equipment.

Thirteen-year-old Shaun struggles to communicate while Annie-May, eight, wants nothing more than to be able to have a sleepover.

Shaun, from Holmfirth, suffers from epilepsy and cerebral palsy. He has poor balance and co-ordination, trips and falls easily and requires one-to-one support. In addition, he can only use his right hand and is unable to form words and has to rely on signs to tell his parents when he is in pain or to make his needs known.

He is becoming increasingly frustrated as others cannot understand him – but he has tested a communication system which he has proved he is able to use. But, sadly, his family was then told the local authority does not fund communication aids.

Now they have turned to leading UK charity Newlife Foundation for help in raising the money needed through its Equipment Grants system.

The communication system Shaun needs is known as PECS and it will enable him to interact with others and enhance his personal relationships.

Shaun’s father, Mark, said: “Shaun really struggles to make himself understood. The communication system will be a huge benefit for him.”

Annie-May has an undiagnosed condition which means she has severe and uncontrolled epilepsy, global developmental delay and learning difficulties.

The little girl has a special bed at home which she cannot fall out of and does meet her needs – but it is the only place where she is totally safe.

It means that she cannot go on holidays, or overnight stays at relatives like other children her age can enjoy; because she cannot take her safe bed with her.

Newlife Foundation has come up with an answer – Safesides, which have been used in hospital recently, but which are unavailable through the local authority.

They are see-through plastic inflatable sides which act as a barrier to stop her falling from her bed, but enable her to see her surroundings.

The charity has pledged to help find the £1,018 needed to provide the fully portable safety equipment which will give Annie-May a new lease of life and is seeking help in fundraising.

Annie-May’s father, David, said: “Having this equipment would make a massive difference to Annie-May’s life. It would mean she could have sleepovers at her gran’s and at her cousins’ houses, as her sister does. They have regular pyjama parties and it would mean that instead of me having to fetch Annie-May home, she could stay over and join in the fun.”

David added it would also mean little Annie-May could enjoy family holidays, which she can’t at the moment. With the portable Safeside equipment she will be able to enjoy a whole new lease of life.

Newlife Foundation last year spent more than £1.5m through its Equipment Grants scheme throughout the UK – including over £85,000 which helped 70 children in Yorkshire.

Newlife CEO Sheila Brown said: “Our equipment grants are so vital to so many children, offering practical support to families in need. Equipment can range from a pain-relieving bed to communication aids like this one for Shaun, from wheelchairs to standing frames.

“Equipment that costs from hundreds to several thousands of pounds really can revolutionise a child’s life. Because of the huge demand,we are calling on ‘local heroes’ to help us raise money to fund equipment in Yorkshire.

“Newlife guarantees that 
100 per cent of any gift 
or donation will go directly 
to local disabled 
children.”

Newlife is working with the families of 24 children in Yorkshire who need specialist equipment totalling over £40,000. Newlife is calling on local individuals, groups, companies and organisations in Yorkshire to come forward to help raise the money needed.

Anyone wanting to support the charity can call the community fundraising team on freephone 0800 988 4640 or visit www.newlifecharity.co.uk.

Christine plans charity walk

Christine Gilkes from Crambeck Village, North Yorkshire, is tackling a 192-mile challenge later this month for Newlife Foundation which raises money to help children in Yorkshire with disabilities.

Christine, 55, and three other women will walk across England from St Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hood’s Bay. The walk is expected to take 12 days, with the group setting off on April 27.

Christine said: “A friend of mine has talked me into doing the walk and I thought I should use this opportunity to raise money for a charity.

“I have chosen Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children because, although they are a national charity, they will ring-fence all the money I raise to specifically help children in North Yorkshire.”

To sponsor Christine visit www.justgiving.com/Christine-Gilkes