Charity’s donation plea after influx of applications from Derry families

Caudwell Children has pledged to provide thousands of families with essential sensory equipment for children to use at home during the Covid-19 pandemic – with each family receiving a pack of appropriate and safe toys to support children living with a wide range of disabilities.

The Get Sensory Packs campaign has been met with huge demand from parents seeking help with daily tasks including home-schooling and fitness activities while at home during the Covid restrictions.

The charity has received 362 applications from families across Northern Ireland. Seventeen of those families live in Derry.

Now the charity, which has supported more than 50,000 disabled children and their families since 2000, is asking people to give generously to ensure it can provide the support that families need.

Trudi Beswick, CEO of Caudwell Children, said:“The demand for our Get Sensory Packs has been enormous in recent weeks as the reality of a further lockdown has affected families up and down the country.

“We want to support every parent who has come to us for help – and we want to do that as quickly as we can.

“To achieve that goal we need extra support. No donation is too small. For just £10 you can help us provide a child with a set of two fibre optic devices that change colour to stimulate the visual and tactile senses. They are very popular with disabled children.

“Please support us if you can.”

Caudwell Children launched its Get Sensory Packs campaign following consultation with parents to find the most appropriate and safe sensory items – selected by the charity’s team of in-house Occupational Therapists.

The packs include: A Liquid Cell Timer, Scented Bubbles, BoBo Massager,

a natural Sisal Brush, 4-Ball Massager, Weighted Cushion, Spikey Domes,

Space Blanket, and a Fibre Optic Lamp.

Packs are available to children who have a confirmed disability or chronic illness. Families can apply directly to Caudwell Children for support, with the charity providing 80% of the cost of each pack.

Families will be asked to contribute 20% of the cost, which is £20, and to confirm their financial status and their child’s diagnosis. To donate visit getsensorypacks.com/donate.