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Accessible Clothing Project Receives Funding Boost



People living with disabilities and age-related mobility challenges will be able to enjoy improved independence thanks to a project that adapts everyday clothing to meet their individual needs.


Sharon Tombs and the team at Dressability are expanding their Mobility Matters project, helping more people stay comfortable and confident in the clothes they choose to wear.


Based in Wiltshire, Dressability is a specialist garment adaptation charity that works with disabled and older people throughout the UK. Its skilled dressmakers make custom alterations that help clients dress more independently, move safely and maintain their own personal style without compromising comfort while using mobility aids.


The Mobility Matters project focuses on removing the barriers that standard clothing can create, such as trip hazards or loose pieces catching on wheelchairs, that most of us never need to think about.


The adaptations made by Sharon and her colleagues range from replacing fiddly fastenings such as shirt buttons with magnetic alternatives, adjusting garments for wheelchair users, accommodating spinal curvature and reinforcing clothing for children who achieve mobility through crawling.


By tailoring garments to meet individual mobility needs, the charity helps people reduce reliance on others and remain active in everyday life. The service also supports dignity, choice and self-esteem, ensuring that functionality does not come at the expense of personal identity and style.


The project has received a £2,490 donation from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, the charitable branch of the UK’s largest manufacturer and seller of wheelchair accessible vehicles, Allied Mobility.


The funding will help Dressability to adapt more than 30 garments for people who need them, and continue delivering its specialist service to people whose quality of life can be improved through carefully considered clothing adaptations.


Sharon Tombs, General Manager at Dressability, said:

"A huge thank you to the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust for their donation. We are entirely reliant on the support of organisations such as these to deliver this valuable service."

"We will use the money carefully and effectively as part of our Mobility Matters project, enabling us to alter many more garments."


Ben Jenkins, National Sales Manager at Allied Mobility, said:

"At Allied Mobility, we supply wheelchair accessible vehicles to customers across the UK and we understand how important independence and personal choice are to people's daily lives."

"Style and comfort needn’t be given up in the name of accessibility. We are delighted to support Dressability’s Mobility Matters project as it helps bridge the gap, ensuring more people can wear the clothes they love while maintaining comfort and dignity."


The funding will help ensure more people can access clothing adapted to their personal needs, allowing them to move more freely, maintain their own individual style and enjoy greater confidence in everyday life.



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Stars of the screen, Christine Talbot and Duncan Wood, are preparing to put their walking boots on as they reunite in support of popular Harrogate businessman and close friend David Simister.


The former ITV Calendar presenters will be among those taking part in Harrogate’s first ‘Walk & Talk’ event, which will see the local business community coming together for what promises to be a sponsored walk with a difference.


Organised by the Big Bamboo Agency, and sponsored by luxury and supercar financier Apollo Capital, the ‘Walk & Talk’ is open to all businesses or business professionals and offers the perfect opportunity for either an office team-bonding exercise, a client catch-up, or even a business meeting with a difference.


Starting and finishing at Roosters Brewing Co Taproom on Hornbeam Park, the ‘Walk & Talk’ will take place on Thursday, June 27 with registration taking place at 7am for a 7.30am departure.


There will be three routes available along the Harrogate Ringway based on how far entrants wish to walk, ranging from 10 miles up to 25. The entry cost is a minimum donation of £25, all of which will go to the family of David Simister. David suffered a life-changing stroke in March last year and now requires round-the-clock care.


Having worked closely alongside the Harrogate-based Big Bamboo Agency, providing invaluable PR expertise, the team launched a fundraising campaign at the start of this year to ensure David continues to get the daily care that he requires. The total raised has already reached £1,285.


Both Christine Talbot and Duncan Wood have known and worked alongside David for many years and were keen to step out and put their best feet forward in an effort to raise as much funding as possible.


Christine commented:

“David is not only a well-respected figure of the regional business community, but he is also a dear friend to so many people across the North of Yorkshire and I hope people will come out and show their support for him by signing up for the brilliant ‘Walk & Talk’ event.”

Duncan commented:

“David worked tirelessly for the good of Harrogate and for the people and businesses who were lucky enough to know him and to spend time with him. Now we have the opportunity to do something for him and his family at this difficult time, and I am delighted to be involved.”

CEO of Apollo Capital, Andy King, comments:

“As soon as we heard about the event, we offered our support, and are looking forward to jumping out of the supercars and getting some steps in on the Ringway, raising funds and creating awareness with the business community of Harrogate.”

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