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Help change lives of children with disabilities - Newlife

A charity based in Cannock is launching a new fund to provide specialist equipment for children with disabilities in the county.

Published
The Newlife store in Hemlock Way, Cannock

Newlife Foundation is appealing for people to help change the lives of local children and have launched the Newlife Staffordshire Fund.

The national charity is the UK's leading children's disability charity which specialises in support to children affected by all disabilities.

The new fund is an opportunity for people in Staffordshire to donate and directly help support vulnerable families local to them.

The charity needs more than £100,000 a month to carry out its work.

The Newlife Staffordshire Fund will support equipment provision for under-19s facing any significant disability, whether acquired through birth defect, prematurity, accident or illness.

Special disability equipment includes wheelchairs, walkers, beds, seating and communication aids to help give children independence, keep them safe, relieve pain and overcome challenges.

Currently there are 28 children with disabilities or terminal illness in Staffordshire who need specialist equipment.

Sheila Brown, chief executive of Newlife Foundation said: "Statutory services in Staffordshire often have a responsibility to make equipment provision – but when help is declined, Newlife steps in.

"The charity challenges many such decisions and has an impressive success rate.

"However, where we are unable to overturn these decisions, we provide the equipment ourselves through our range of grant and loan services.

"We do this with the support of front-line health professionals across Staffordshire who have helped Newlife help local children in real need."

Mrs Brown added: "We hope that by launching the Newlife Staffordshire Fund, disabled and terminally ill children in the county won't have to go without the equipment they need for everyday life."

The charity is based in Hemlock Way and has already helped 658 children in Staffordshire through equipment grants and loans totalling more than £861,415.

Newlife Foundation also provides a variety of free services including nurse-staffed helplines, equipment grants, emergency equipment loans and sensory and developmental toy 'pod' loans.

A website has been set up to show exactly who currently needs help across Staffordshire and also highlights the support the charity gives vulnerable families.

The site also provides contact details for families and shows supporters how they can get involved and make a difference.

For more information contact the county liaison team on 01543 431 444 or to find out more about case studies in Staffordshire visit www.newlifecharity.co.uk/staffordshire.

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