Latest Newlife News

NIGHTMARE OF NIGHT-TIME INJURIES

Five-year-old Brody McAteer has no awareness of danger and would often injure himself when he banged against the sides of his bed – or fell out of it. He has epileptic seizures and safety is always an issue. It is so serious that when he is in hospital he has to sleep on a mattress on the floor.

Mum Laura Rutherford, from Bonnybridge, was desperate to find a safe solution – and discovered Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children through a Facebook special needs equipment page.

Brody has an undiagnosed syndrome without a name, as well as epilepsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, hypermobility (his joints move beyond the normal range) and low muscle tone.

Newlife – the largest UK charity providing specialist equipment – was able to offer Brody an Emergency Equipment Loan of a safe sleeping environment. Laura said: “It’s brilliant. Brody loves the experience of being enclosed and secure so his sleeping has actually improved. The rest of the family has peace of mind, knowing he is safe at night and can’t hurt himself.”

With the loan period coming to an end, Newlife wanted to give Brody his own, permanent, safe bed – and the dedication and enthusiasm of fabulous fundraisers at a local business is now making that possible.

Fifteen members of staff from Briggs Equipment UK in Cumbernauld between them raised an amazing £1,323 by taking part in Glasgow’s Colour Me Rad five-kilometre event in May. With additional funding from the company, they contributed £2,451 towards the total cost of the £4,564 bed.

Laura said: “I would like to thank everyone at Briggs for their support of Newlife. This will make a huge difference to Brody’s long-term safety and provide us with peace of mind at night.”

Donna Anderson, Briggs’ Service Controller at its base at Cumbernauld Business Park in Wardpark South, said: “We have adopted Newlife as our charity of the year, and it is great to know exactly how our fundraising is being spent.”

To find out more about how Newlife supports families in your area, go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk/local and click on the County Map.

Newlife Head of Operations Stephen Morgan said: “It’s an outrage that families of disabled and terminally ill children have to battle local services for equipment – and yet still face heart-breaking refusals.

“Newlife comes to the rescue; we change – and even save – lives every day through equipment provision. But we can’t do this alone. Please help us to help our disabled and terminally ill children.”

Pictured: Brody McAteer

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