A KIND-HEARTED Badsey mum has raised more than £5,000 through fund-raising events and donations in a bid to buy a minibus to transport disabled children to and from her weekly discos.
Tracey Hemming, who hosts ‘Freedom Discos’ at Badsey’s The Pub in a Club, has raised £5,080 thanks to a recent £2,000 donation from Growers United and a £500 donation from Howdens Joinery and Mencap.
Vale of Evesham Round Table also recently donated £300 and Bubbles launderette donated £50, while Go Faster Graphics in Hampton is currently raising money for the appeal through its JustGiving page.
Ms Hemming is hoping to raise £6,000 to £7,000 towards her minibus appeal, which would secure a wheelchair-adapted vehicle that Evesham’s Scott Farms has offered to pay the first year’s insurance for.
A few members from Growers United presented their £2,000 cheque to Ms Hemming on Tuesday (November 22).
She launched the Freedom Discos back in March, after being left disheartened following the closure of Evesham’s Marilyn’s nightclub disco for the disabled.
There will also be a Christmas party for the youngsters on Sunday, December 18, where the Vale of Evesham Round Table has agreed to surprise the children with the appearance of Santa Claus, who will hand out presents.
Ms Hemming said: “I believe the minibus will help so many people once it’s up and running. It’ll be used to travel to and from the disco which will be a big help as at present, we have one member paying £50 a week to travel from Redditch in a taxi which is awful.
“Then we will let local care homes use the bus for days out, so they don’t have to rely on public transport.
“I’m planning a lot of fun events for the children next year too which would require me picking them up, so the minibus would be a great asset.”
Vito Mauro, of ValeFresco and a member of Growers United, said: “The funds we donated to Ms Hemming’s appeal came from a sum of almost £10,000 we raised at a golf day, which was kindly held by Evesham Specialist Packaging at the the Vale Golf and Country Club last month.
“We’ll continue using the funds we raised to benefit the local community.”
Call Ms Hemming on 07970306037 for more information.
