Diverse Abilities, Dorset’s disability charity, has received a series of generous donations from its local community and businesses in the area.
Will Storey, from artisan business Life in Layers, has donated 3D-printed face shields to help with personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements at the charity’s respite home for children, Lily’s Place. The masks are assembled with his Parkstone neighbours following social distancing guidelines.
Clare Rochford, children’s team manager, commented: “We are so grateful for the donation from Will and his community to help with our PPE needs during this difficult time. We’ve adapted how our service runs in order to provide more one on one care and reduce the risk of infection to the families that desperately need our help during this global pandemic.”
LUSH and Conker Spirit have also made donations to help in response to the global pandemic. LUSH’s Poole High Street store donated three boxes of soaps, and the independent gin manufacturer has provided five litres of hand sanitiser, made as an offshoot from its regular business production.
Rupert Holloway, founder of Conker Spirit, commented: “We’re a brand that is passionate about community and helping those around us, being able to produce these vital supplies has been a great experience for myself and the team and it’s so rewarding to be able to help such a vast quantity of local organisations including Diverse Abilities.”
Ferndown’s branch of Holland & Barrett donated a selection of Easter eggs to The Beehive Centre, the adults’ day and therapy centre operated by Diverse Abilities. The eggs will be distributed to the people supported by the charity, as well as staff and partners in the community.
The charity recently launched an emergency appeal to help raise funds that would have otherwise been collected through its cancelled events and initiatives. COVID-19 has seen increased running costs and Diverse Abilities needs support from its community to help fund supplies, donating £40 could supply one of the organisation’s 21 Supported Living bungalows with PPE masks for one day. Visit diverseabilities.org.uk/emergency to donate to the appeal.