Brave Charlotte’s ‘life-changing’ support from Peterborough volunteers

Mum Jessica Howard, put out an appeal for some advice on Facebook group Coronaheroes Peterborough, asking where she could find a specially sized desk to suit her daughter Charlotte’s needs.

Brave one-year-old Charlotte suffers from Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus as well as a number of other health conditions, which have left her paralysed and using a wheelchair.

Jessica had been unable to find any table or desk suitable for Jessica to use at their home in Bretton.

Jessica struggles to reach most tables and was unable to play with her toys and enjoy games with her brothers Timothy (3) and Kenzie (14).

Wanting to bring Charlotte some more freedom, Jessica posted on the facebook group asking if someone knew who could create a bespoke table.

She said: “Being a single parent and not knowing anything about who can make one, I thought I would ask if anyone knew someone who could do it.

“Of course I would pay, and knew that something like this wouldn’t be cheap.”

Jessica was amazed as comments flooded in, and especially from Dan and Michelle Sutton, from Hampton Vale, who offered to help.

Just a few days later, the hand-made table arrived for little Charlotte, made by Dan and Michelle who generously refused to take any payment.

Almost lost for words, Jessica is unbelievably grateful and has noticed a difference in Charlotte already.

She said: “I’ve only had the table for one day and so far Charlotte has had her lunch with her brothers, finger painted and played with sand.

“It’s amazing. It’s such a life-changer for her. She can sit safely and comfortable and she can also use it when she is in her support standing frame. I can’t put into words how happy I am. I’m so thankful to them.”

Dan spent around 5-6 hours over three days creating the table and throughout that time he was in touch with Jessica sending drawings and measurements back and forth to make sure the table was the perfect size.

Michelle said: “We saw Jessica’s post on Facebook and felt that it was something we could do. We wanted to help the family have the ability to make life that bit easier, even more so with recent events globally. We wanted to give Charlotte somewhere she is able to play.”

Though Dan is not a carpenter by trade, he is a maintenance engineer and welder but makes things himself as a hobby. One day he has hopes of starting his own bespoke items business.

Dan added: “We received a few photos of Charlotte using her table and the photos said a thousand words in her smile and even brought a tear to the eye knowing we made someone’s day by helping them.”

Jessica said she will be gifting the table to another family in need when Charlotte grows out of using it.