Businesses can help disabled youngsters waiting for equipment- financial expert

A leading financial expert is urging other businesspeople to step in to support disabled and terminally ill children who are facing long waits to get vital equipment to improve their quality of life. 

Mike Jordan, who founded Jordan Financial Management in Sutton Coldfield more than 25 years ago, has made the plea after being inspired to back Newlife The Charity for Disabled Children, which works to ensure disabled children get the equipment and support they need to fulfil their potential. 

After seeing the plight of one child who has been helped by Newlife, he contacted the Cannock-based charity to see if he could help in any way. 

He discovered that they have dozens of children on their waiting list for funding for equipment in the West Midlands area alone. 

As a result, Jordan Financial Management has donated £1,859 to fund a buggy for six-year-old Hunter, who has autism and ADHD – and now he’s urging other businesses to get involved too. 

Mike said: “I was watching TV and a story came on about a child who was being supported by Newlife, which is a West Midlands-based charity, and I felt compelled to see what I could do to help. 

“I got in touch, and they told me all about Hunter, who doesn’t fit into a pushchair for a younger child and now needs a special buggy so he and his family can get out and about. 

“Hunter has no sense of danger and is very unpredictable and can be very quick to run off, which limits where his parents can take him out.  

“But they told me that he loves the outdoors and is calm and relaxed when he’s in a pushchair, which also allows the family to access more activities. 

“The fact is that it’s getting harder for families like Hunter’s to access funding for this kind of equipment, and they are having to wait longer and longer for something that would make a huge difference to their lives. 

“It seemed like such a simple thing to step in and help, and I think that businesses don’t realise that by making what can be a relatively small donation to them, they can genuinely improve the lives of a local family in need. 

“I would urge any firms that are looking for a community outreach project, or a charity to support, to consider Newlife – because their work has such a directly beneficial effect.”  

Newlife receives no statutory support, with income coming from two main sources - fundraising and their nine retail stores. 

Craig Stewart, head of Corporate and Community Partnerships for Newlife, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Mike for his contribution. Donations like this are so important to Newlife, and it’s heartening when our work resonates with someone in such a way that they’re compelled to make a significant donation, which will truly make a difference to the lives of a disabled child and their family.  

“But to make this happen, raising awareness of Newlife and the work we do is key. 

“There are currently around 30 children in the West Midlands alone on our waiting list for equipment funding, and we need the support of organisations like Mike’s, and others in the area, to ensure the needs of these children can continue to be met.  

“We have ambitions to make Newlife the charity of choice for local businesses across the region, but this can only happen with support from generous businesses and individuals, as well as the wider community. We also have a range of ways to collaborate with local businesses, from corporate volunteering opportunities and challenge events to supporting your own fundraising.” 

To find out more about Newlife, visit the website.

Pictured: Youngster Roman Pearse also received a specialised buggy from Newlife