12 August 2008
Press release
MERU, the local charity that designs and custom-makes equipment for disabled children and young people when nothing else can be found to meet their needs, is 35 years old today.
The charity was founded in 1973 at the former Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children in Carshalton, Surrey, by medical engineer Bill Bond and orthopaedic surgeon Trefor Llewellyn Bowen – the late father of TV presenter Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who is now the charity’s patron.
Today MERU helps approximately 100 youngsters every year, by designing and manufacturing unique pieces of custom-made equipment that provide independence, comfort, dignity, inclusion, learning and fun!
Recent projects undertaken by MERU include a special seat to support a child safely in the bath, an exclusive flashing light device to enable a girl who cannot raise her hand to attract her teacher’s attention, a robust stereo remote control for a boy with autism, and a set of oversize dominoes for a boy with Down’s syndrome.
Susan Brumpton, MERU’s Chief Executive, says: “For 35 years MERU’s highly skilled staff and volunteers have been coming up with superb solutions for children and young people who literally have nowhere else to turn. Often our clients’ needs are so specialised or complex that there simply isn’t anything available commercially to help them.
“With a move to new premises on the cards shortly, MERU is poised for another successful 35 years of changing children’s lives for the better.”
Ends
For further information please contact Sue Burch, sue@meru.org.uk or 020 8770 8286
The Queen's Award for
Voluntary Service 2004
Copyright © MERU 2006
All rights reserved
Reg. Charity No. 269804 Company Limited
by Guarantee No. 1214125
Email: info@meru.org.uk Tel No: 020 8770 8286 Fax No: 020 8770 8398