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25 September 2019
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Vol 26 Issue 39
INSIDE THIS WEEK:
West Lancs College students at their climate change protest event.
College students and staff join in climate protest STAFF and students from West Lancashire College joined young people from schools, colleges and universities throughout the world in a protest against climate change last week. The Campaign against Climate Change pushes for the “urgent and radical action” it says is needed to tackle the growing climate emergency. Students at the Skelmersdale-based college discussed the issues of climate change and the importance of having a voice in their lessons, then shared their passion about having an impact and ensuring that a “ liveable planet” is left for the future. The Climate Strike was also backed by The University and College Union who called on the TUC to support the school student strikes. Business lecturer, Catherine Shiel said: “Climate change is affecting us all and it’s important that we highlight this with our students, as well as expose them to the democratic process and creating internal debate on how to be a responsible citizen when diverse views are involved.” A School Strike for Climate event will be held at Ormskirk Clock Tower between 9am and 3pm on Friday, September 27 when people from schools and potentially others too - will be taking the day off to protest about the threat to the planet.
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APPEAL TO FUND MUM’S CHALLENGE TO BENEFIT RULING Report by Henry James AN online appeal has been launched on behalf of the mother of a disabled Skelmersdale youngster to fund a legal challenge to a tribunal ruling refusing her claim for children’s higher rate mobility benefit. Helena Simpkin, whose daughter Toni has Down’s syndrome with complex learning difficulties, previously received £61.20 per week for the youngster which she used to finance a Motability car. This was a vital lifeline for the single mum and 12-year-old Toni, who has pins fitted in her hips and is unable to walk very far. However Helena saw Toni’s benefit slashed to £23.20 following a ruling by a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) tribunal, meaning she can no longer afford a Motability car. Now Helena’s friend Joanne Taylor has launched a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise the £950 needed to engage a specialist solicitor to challenge the DWP decision. Joanne told the Champion: “To know Toni is to love her and Helena, who is a single parent, is a really devoted mum. “Toni’s claim for children’s higher rate mobility was refused by a tribunal hearing in Wigan last week reducing the amount she gets to less than half
Pal launches online plea after DWP tribunal refuses high rate mobility allowance for 12-year-old with Down’s syndrome and complex learning difficulties
Motability was a “lifeline” for Toni.
what it was previously and Helena now can’t get a Motability car, which is a huge lifeline.” Throughout her short life, Toni has had to endure numerous procedures, including a heart operation. And in November last year she had an operation to fit pins in her hips, severely affecting her mobility. A specialist has confirmed to Helena that this will
be an ongoing issue as Toni will need to have larger pins fitted as she grows while at the moment there is no improvement in her walking. Joanne added: “The DWP state that Toni will be “better ” by now and claim she will be improved going forward so doesn’t need sufficient enough help to be awarded the higher rate mobility. “But apart from the issues with her hips, Toni’s learning difficulties mean that she does need substantial assistance getting around. She doesn’t have any of the independence, other high school students have. She attends a special school and has to have a specialist buggy there. “If Disability Living Allowance and mobility, isn’t for disabled people like Toni then who is it for? “This decision by the DWP has put immense emotional strain on her mum who obviously just wants what’s best for Toni now and going forward. “Toni has a lifelong disability and we need to ensure this decision is overruled, so that she gets all the help she’s entitled to now and in the future.” Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal should visit www.gofundme.com and type Skelmersdale in the search box.
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