Urgent call from Horsham shoppers’ respite centre

A children’s respite area opening in Horsham’s Swan Walk Shopping Centre is appealing for an range of items to enable it to open on time.
By Anna Coe
Published 10th May 2015, 13:00 BST
Alfie Buck and his mum Sam with Natalie Gazey, Alfie's carer Victoria Nightingale and Horsham's Hop, Skip and Jump team. Mums' campaign for a Hop Skip Jump disabled children's crèche facility in Horsham has come to fruition and work has started on one in Swan Walk Shopping Centre. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150605-114913001Alfie Buck and his mum Sam with Natalie Gazey, Alfie's carer Victoria Nightingale and Horsham's Hop, Skip and Jump team. Mums' campaign for a Hop Skip Jump disabled children's crèche facility in Horsham has come to fruition and work has started on one in Swan Walk Shopping Centre. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150605-114913001
Alfie Buck and his mum Sam with Natalie Gazey, Alfie's carer Victoria Nightingale and Horsham's Hop, Skip and Jump team. Mums' campaign for a Hop Skip Jump disabled children's crèche facility in Horsham has come to fruition and work has started on one in Swan Walk Shopping Centre. Pic Steve Robards SUS-150605-114913001

The Hop Skip and Jump Foundation is fitting out a unit in the heart of Horsham town centre following a campaign by mums of children with disabilities.

It is part of the charity’s Care in the High Street initiative and the Horsham branch is only the third of its kind in the UK.

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It will be a fully staffed place parents can leave their children - whatever their disability - while they do their shopping.

But to enable them to open on time this month, they are appealing for a range of items.

Katie Baggaley, work works in the development and research side of the charity, said: “Hop Skip and Jump is unique because no other organisation provides respite care on the same basis as we do; we are truly flexible and immediate.

“We aim to operate an “accessible to all” service, with care and facilities that are second to none, where children and adults can learn, develop and play in a safe and well supported environment.

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“Our Care in the High Street centre in Horsham will offer Hop Skip and Jump’s unique services to the West Sussex community in a centrally placed, easily accessible location.

“To provide the high standard of care we pride ourselves on within an engaging and safe environment and to meet our opening deadline we are urgently looking for a washing machine, an electric oven, a microwave, toys and a laptop and printer.

Some of the other items needed are: paint (Magnolia mostly but a few bright colours); paint brushes/rollers/trays; cleaning materials; bins; hoover; microwave; washing machine and dryer; cutlery plates and bowls; towels; tea towels; nappies; baby wipes; nappy sacks; paper towels; Sudocrem; infection control gloves; craft materials; toys; sofas; filing cabinet; table and chairs; desk; cupboards for charity shop; clothes for children (spare clothes) various; small children table and chairs; soft blankets and fur throws; cushions; magazines; oven trays and muffin cases.

If you can donate any of these items call centre supervisor Sabrina Parker on 07519 448999 or email her on [email protected]

For more information about the Hop Skip and Jump Foundation and the Horsham branch go to the website