New fund in honour of victim of inflatable art structure tragedy.

STEPS, is to launch a new equipment fund in memory of mother of two Claire Furmedge who was killed in an inflatable art structure at a park in County Durham earlier this year.

Claire was killed on 23 July 2006 when the inflatable structure, which she was inside with her two children, broke free from its moorings. She was a dedicated supporter of STEPS and had been helping to raise funds for the charity for more than 7 years. She came in contact with STEPS when her daughter, now 8 years old, was diagnosed with a hip condition as a baby.

Says Claire's husband Gary Furmedge:

"When our daughter was diagnosed with a hip problem STEPS helped us with information and support during a very difficult and emotional time.

"I know Claire would have liked the idea of a fund which could help families like ours. She was so full of life and loved helping others. She would be honoured to have it named after her."

The Claire Furmedge Equipment Fund will provide a small grant to help towards the purchase of specialist equipment such as a car seat as well as useful information to parents caring for a child with a lower limb condition. The fund will provide a grant of up to 50% of the cost of a piece of equipment up to a maximum of £100 total grant.

Families can apply for these funds via an application form available from STEPS office in Lymm, Cheshire. You can apply to the fund from 1st April 2007.

Please help the many families in need of support with equipment to care for their child. If you would like to support this fund you can go to http://www.justgiving.com/ClaireFurmedgeEquipmentFund and make a donation.

Please help make a difference.

If you would like to support this fund you can make a donation by going to http://www.justgiving.com/ClaireFurmedgeEquipmentFund

or by post to

steps - Claire Furmedge Equipment Fund Appeal,

Warrington Lane, Lymm,

Cheshire

WA13 0SA

Please make cheques payable to steps - Claire Furmedge Appeal

If you would like more information or would like to get involved please contact clare@steps-charity.org.uk or call our helpline on 08717170044.

Thank you for your support.