A CHARITY which greatly improves the lives of disabled people has urged people to raise cash for it.

The charity, Demand, designs and makes equipment for disabled people free of charge when an aid is not commercially available anywhere else.

It was based in Watford for 28 years, but for the last three has been based at New Mill Road in Brockholes.

Operations director Martin Brown said: “We can design anything from a spring-loaded walking stick to a specially-adapted bed. We can even get disabled people on to ski slopes.

“We employ six people here and are desperate for equipment and cash to keep us going.”

As well as making new aids and equipment Demand also adapts donated items such as wheelchairs for second users.

It helps a large range of people, from children with cerebral palsy to adults with walking difficulties.

The charity recently held an open day which about 20 people attended, some from organisations such as Rotary clubs and the masons.

It also received a £2,000 cheque from Heather Henshaw, landlady of the Rock pub at Brockholes. The pub has been raising money for Demand for the past couple of years.

The charity’s patron, TV personality Esther Rantzen, said: “Demand’s work is based on a brilliant idea.

“Yet like so many brilliant ideas it is in fact very simple. It is to bring together medical professionals and the Demand designers and craftsmen to create special equipment for people with serious disabilities when no other solution exists.”

People can find out more about Demand on its website at www.demand.org.uk or by phoning 01484 666261.