About Us
Since 1990 we have been helping disabled children to live more comfortably, to play in more creative ways, to learn more easily and to enjoy better mobility.
What we do…
Equipment 4 Disabled Children supports children who live or are educated in South West Surrey or are under the care of the Royal Surrey County Hospital Children’s Unit.
We provide equipment that makes their lives as full as possible. The equipment enables children to live more comfortably, to play in more creative ways, to learn more easily and to enjoy better mobility.
We are run entirely by a small group of volunteers. All money comes from local fundraising and virtually all of it is used to buy much needed equipment. We provide equipment, often expensive and always recommended by health professionals, to enable mobility, independence and play for local children.
The equipment we provide has always been recommended by a professional in the child’s medical or care team. The equipment is usually specialised, and is either tailor-made or adapted exclusively for the child concerned, it is more expensive than standard ‘off-the-shelf’ products.
For example, we are often asked for adapted tricycles. These give a child independence, exercise and the ability to play with other children. They cost upwards of £2000 each.
Every child we support has different needs so each applicant receives individual attention.
We also make sure that any equipment we purchase can be repurposed. For example when one of our children grows out of their specialist tricycle, we will have it serviced and it will become available for another child to use.
Click here to see some of the life changing equipment we've purchased!
Dark den – Walking frame – Tricycle – Communication support
Special seating – Standing support – Splashy bath seat – Standing frame
Special aids – Upsee walking harness – Car seats – Weighted vests
PlayPak early intervention kit – Specialist devices – Major buggy
Sensory support – Car seat harness – Go-To support seating
Where it all started…
In 1990 a local senior paediatrician, Dr Helen Foley, wrote to the Surrey Advertiser newspaper and asked for help in improving the life of some of her patients. She was all too aware of how specially targeted help, beyond what was available from public sources, could make such a dramatic difference to the quality of disabled children’s lives.
Mrs. Margaret Pilkington, after reading the late Dr. Foley’s appeal, was inspired to start the Equipment for Disabled Children charity in that same year. Dr.Foley subsequently became the first President of the charity and remained the patron of the charity until 2010 Dr Caroline Salmon of the Royal Surrey County Hospital, agreed to take on the role.
Listen to Margaret Pilkington talking about how the charity was started. Thanks to BBC Radio Surrey and Joe Talbot for permission to use this audio extract from the broadcast of 20th. December 2012.
Margaret Pilkington talking to Joe Talbot
Where we are now…
We are still going strong! We have a core committee of 7 trustees and are very grateful for the following support:
- NHS paediatric physiotherapists and occupational therapists who assist in identifying children with a need, and support the assessment process
- Parent supporters whose children we have helped and assist us with fundraising and awareness raising activities
- Other supporters in the community who want to make a difference