The gift of a specialist bed just in time for Christmas means 13-year-old Dylan Millar will be able to spend more time with his dad in 2017.
Dylan, who lives with mum Annette in the Bingham area of Edinburgh, has a chromosomal disorder that has resulted in complex physical and learning difficulties. He has no awareness of danger and has been sleeping in a safety bed, provided by Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, since 2009. Now the charity has given Dylan a new, larger specialist bed which better meets his changing needs – and this means his old safety bed can go to his dad’s Edinburgh home so he can enjoy overnight visits and quality time there.
Provision of the new bed – which cost £6,885 – is thanks to a ‘fantastic plastic’ initiative at River Island fashion stores which is supporting Newlife, the UK’s leading charity provider of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness.
When you are asked to pay five pence for a carrier bag in a shop have you ever wondered what happens to the money? Well, in the case of River Island outlets – like the three in Edinburgh – profits from sales of carrier bags are donated to Newlife.
Dylan is one of more than 140 children to benefit from this life-changing nationwide initiative.
Mum Annette Millar said: “Dylan’s dad and I used to share care, but this stopped because Dylan needs to sleep in a specialist bed for his own safety. Without the bed – which provides an enclosed and padded low sensory environment – he wouldn’t sleep at all and because he has no awareness of danger he would have to be watched constantly.”
Newlife Foundation CEO Sheila Brown added: “As local authority budget cuts continue to bite, more and more families are turning to charities like Newlife for specialist equipment which can help transform young lives. Having the national support of River Island is an enormous boost for us.”
She added: “Anyone struggling to access equipment through their statutory services should call our Newlife Nurse Helpline – 0800 902 0095 (free from UK landlines and mobiles) to discuss their individual situation.”
If you would like to find out more about Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children’s range of practical support services go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk.
Newlife has funded specialist equipment for 42 children in Edinburgh, at a cost of £98,120. If you think you could help a local child, go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk/cityofedinburgh for further details.
Please note: this equipment was delivered and installed on December 19.
Pictured: Dylan Miller
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