A KIND-HEARTED Badsey mum is looking to build on her success of setting up a disco, securing a minibus and opening a day centre for the disabled, by fund-raising towards purchasing a caravan in Devon.
Tracey Hemming launched her weekly ‘Freedom Discos’ for disabled children and young adults at The Pub in a Club, in Badsey, back in March 2016, after being left disheartened following the closure of Evesham’s Marilyn’s nightclub disco for the disabled.
Since then, through community fund-raising and donations totalling £10,000, she has secured the keys to a wheelchair-adapted minibus to transport disabled children to and from the discos.
Following a donation of £10,000 from an anonymous parent of a disco member and further donations from Vale businesses and organisations, Mrs Hemming then opened the Freedom Day Centre at The Pub in a Club in July, which provides educational and fun activities for adults with learning disabilities.
Now the mum, whose own son uses the services she has set up, has announced she has secured the funds to purchase another vehicle and has her sights on a caravan in Exmouth, to provide holidays for the children and young adults.
Speaking to the Observer, Mrs Hemming said: “We’ve recently received almost £2,000 from the People’s Postcode Trust and £3,000 from Badsey Parish Council.
“These funds, along with other donations, have provided us with enough money for a much-needed second vehicle. It was taking us four trips to collect our members and we had to say no to some. But these kind donations will allow us to get a seven-seater, which will make it easier for us to get around the town.
“We recently had 103 members turn up to the disco – the highest yet. It’s quite amazing how far we’ve come since last March.
“My next fund-raising idea is to purchase a caravan at Devon Cliffs, Exmouth. A lot of people with learning disabilities struggle to have a holiday because of the costs involved.
“Parents and carers not only have to pay for themselves, but also for the travel and accommodation of the support worker that goes with them, making holidays very expensive and limited.
“So if we had a caravan, costs could be kept to a minimal amount so members could enjoy a few days away. Devon Cliffs caters for all age ranges, is not too far to travel and is close to the beach.
“So if there’s any kind people out there who’d like to help us fund-raise for this we’d be most grateful.”
A cabaret night will take place at Broadway’s Lifford Hall on Saturday, October 21 to kick-off the fund-raising for the caravan.
Call the centre on 01386 833465 or e-mail [email protected] to book transportation or for more information.
Visit www.freedomdaycentre.co.uk for more information on the centre.
