TV channel's Children's Appeal delivers cheque to The Haven
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STV Children’s Appeal visited an Inverness charity to deliver a grant to support its vital work.
The Haven Appeal was given a £2000 cheque towards its mission of creating a first of its kind, state-of-the-art-centre for children and young people with learning disabilities in the Highlands.
The Haven Appeal was started by Elsie Normington following her personal experience of the difficulties in accessing suitable facilities for a disabled youngster.
Mrs Normington realised that after the age of 18 many young people and their families from the Highlands have nowhere to go to access support. This means parents may have to give up work to become a full-time carer to their child.
Additionally, with limited respite care facilities many families struggle and have to travel as far as Glasgow to access the care they require.
There are 1679 children with additional needs in schools and 722 children who are registered disabled in the Highlands.
Mrs Normington has a vision to build the Haven Centre, a £4 million project, which will be Scotland’s first facility providing support to those children and young people with multiple and complex needs.
It is planned for a site in Smithton and will include short-break accommodation offering carers respite, an adapted play area for the children and a community café for families to relax and socialise.
Mrs Normington said: “The Haven Centre is my long term dream for our most severely disabled children. It will provide young people and their families with the most comprehensive range of facilities anywhere in Scotland.
“By choosing to support the Haven, STV Children’s Appeal is helping the most vulnerable children and young people in our society and will support their families. On their behalf, thank you!”
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