Our Urgent Appeal has raised more than £100,000 to help us provide support to vulnerable disabled people and their families throughout the Coronavirus crisis.

“The generosity from our supporters has helped us survive lockdown,” said Sense Scotland’s Executive Director Angela Bonomy. “They’ve shown just how much they care, not only in terms of their donations, but in their words of encouragement which have kept us all going.”

Our four-month long Urgent Appeal draws to a close just as our charity shops begin to reopen, and fundraising events get back on track.

Money raised from the appeal has already helped us to adapt the Family Advisory service and provide Home Activities to encourage families to ‘Be Well, Be Playful and Be Creative’ during lockdown.

But the biggest impact has been on helping the individuals we support get through the peak of the crisis.

Like many parents, Julie was worried about how the crisis would affect her daughter.

“She’s a young woman with complex learning difficulties,” said Julie, “and she has been receiving a couple of days service in Glasgow as well as respite. The staff have been fantastic with her.”

Even when her husband contracted the Coronavirus and had to go into hospital for a few days, our staff were there to support Julie and her daughter.

Julie added: “We had to self-isolate for 14 days and the staff kept in touch. When she went to respite it was a great relief for me to know that she was looked after so well, and I was in need of a bit of a break as I was also having to take care of my husband.

“I’m grateful for the way they’ve cared for her.”

Angela added: “We’re not out of this pandemic yet, but at least we can get on with the recovery plans we’ve put in place. The fantastic total raised by our Appeal allows us some breathing space to do that. Thank you to everyone who donated.”