Children Today is celebrating a significant grant from Cheshire Freemasons’ Charity to help the charity provide life-changing mobility equipment to disabled children and young people.

The grant of £5,250 was awarded following a successful application to the Cheshire Freemasons’ Charity Trustees, who recognised the valuable contribution Children Today makes to families and communities across Cheshire.

The donation will be used to help Children Today provide a range of specialist equipment, including adapted trikes, wheelchairs, specialist car seats and harnesses, powered wheelchair powerpacks and specialist seating. This equipment can make a significant difference to children’s independence, confidence and ability to take part in everyday family life.

Emma Prescott, Charity Director at Children Today Charitable Trust, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Cheshire Freemasons’ Charity for this generous grant. Funding like this is vital in helping us provide specialist equipment that can have a transformative impact on disabled children and their families.

“For disabled children and young people, the right piece of equipment can mean so much more than improved mobility. It can mean being able to get out and about together, enjoy family activities, experience greater independence and create precious memories.

“We see every day how equipment such as an adapted trike or lightweight wheelchair can open up opportunities that families may otherwise struggle to access. This generous support from Cheshire Freemasons’ Charity will help us continue making a real difference to children and families who need us.”

Representatives from Cheshire Freemasons presented Children Today with a cheque for their generous donation of £5,250. Left to right: Mike Ross, Area 1 Chairman; Richard Kellett, Area 1 Secretary; Laura Oldfield, from Children Today; Peter Kellett, Assistant Head of Cheshire Freemasons; Emma Prescott, Charity Director at Children Today; Ray Thomas of Stanlow Lodge 6257.

Peter Kellett, Assistant Provincial Grand Master at Cheshire Freemasons’ Charity commented:

“We are delighted to support Children Today with a grant of £5,250. The charity does important work supporting disabled children and young people and helping families access specialist equipment that can make such a profound difference to their everyday lives.

“Service and supporting our local communities are at the heart of Cheshire Freemasonry, and we are pleased that our charitable giving can help Children Today continue this valuable work across Cheshire and beyond.”

Cheshire Freemasons’ Charity supports charitable causes across Cheshire and makes grants to a wide range of organisations, including charities working with children and young people. The charity is funded by Freemasons in Cheshire and is independently run by a team of trustees.

For Children Today, the grant comes at an important time as demand for specialist mobility equipment continues to grow. Emma explains:

“On average disabled households need an extra £1,095 each month, just to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households. This, combined with inflation and increased cost of living, means many families simply can’t afford to buy vital equipment, despite knowing how lifechanging it will be for their child.

“Over the last 12 months the number of applications we’ve received from families who desperately need our support has more than doubled compared to last year, so we are extremely grateful to the Trustees and members of Cheshire Freemasons for helping us reach more families. Their support will help us give disabled children greater freedom, independence and opportunities to enjoy life alongside their families.”