Over £6,000 raised for new disabled toilet

Laura Moore and her son William, five, who has been with Chestnut Tree House for four years

A refurbishment of the toilet block on the seafront, opposite the Dome, will include a £5,000 Changing Places disabled facility after residents and businesses clubbed together to raise the funds.

Lead campaigner, Laura Moore, whose five-year-old son, William, suffers from severe dystonic motor disorder, said: “It’s going to be hugely important. I didn’t realise how many people in Worthing needed it until I started doing this.

“When you’re in town, there is nowhere for you to change your children.”

Laura, 37, of Ashurst Close, Goring, set up a crowdfunder appeal online, offering a range of rewards in exchange for donations.

The appeal surpassed its £5,000 target, raising £6,286. The extra funds will be set aside for a similar project in the Guildbourne Centre.

The new facility will feature extra space for larger wheelchairs, a changing bed and hoist.

Laura explained that normal disabled toilets were often inadequate for the severely disabled, with the lack of a changing bed resulting in people having to lay children on the floor.

A number of organisations got involved in the fundraising, including Independent Lives, Babybuddy, West Sussex Parent Carer Forum, National Autistic Society, Classic Collection and Brio.