Keep Kale Rolling!

UPDATE: SUPPORT NEEDED FOR NEW WHEELCHAIR

Hello friends! Keep Kale housed team here <3

We are doing a little update to this fundraiser, and changing the title and the main goal, because Kale’s circumstances have drastically changed in the past few months. Our new goal is to raise money for Kale to get a replacement wheelchair so they can safely get out of the house, as their current one is broken. Read on for more information!

Since the last check-in, Kale has been placed in temporary accommodation in Eastbourne. Brighton Council have accepted a duty to house them, which means they are sat on a very long waiting list for a council house (3 - 5 years ugh). So for now, they are living in Eastbourne and still actively looking for private rented accommodation in Brighton (so please keep your eyes peeled if you see anything!!)

Living in accommodation so far away from Brighton (an hour on public transport) away from their friends and community has left them feeling really isolated. Their mobility is hugely limited because their wheelchair isn’t functional - the suspension is broken, causing them a lot of pain to use it, and 3-4 times it has tried to fold up with Kale still inside it! Not fun, not safe, not cool.

The accommodation itself also comes with a lot of limitations. Kale isn’t allowed visitors (which sucks) and they aren’t allowed to stay out overnight without prior permission. Even if they do get permission, each stop out is recorded and could be held against them as a reason that they don’t need support with housing anymore.

All of these factors have led to them being housebound, unable to see friends and explore their local area without being worried about exacerbating their pain or feeling unsafe.

So, the priority now is raising money to help Kale get a replacement wheelchair. This is the one that they need: https://glebemobility.co.uk/products/the-ultra-comfort-reclining-leg-elevating-folding-powerchair

It’s the cheapest folding wheelchair Kale could find, and the only one which reclines which will make a huge difference if they have a POTS episode outdoors. Currently they have to lie on the ground if this happens in public which isn’t ideal at all.

Kale has been through A LOT in the past few months, if you’ve donated to this fundraiser before you will have seen, so something as simple as being able to get out of the house independently and safely will make such a huge difference to their wellbeing. Kale is the sweetest, kindest, most generous soul and getting a replacement chair would mean the absolute world to them.

Any contributions, however big or small, are hugely appreciated. The kindness and solidarity that the community has shown them so far has had a profound impact on their quality of life. Let’s keep the energy going to help Kale reach this next milestone which will drastically improve their day-to-day life.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to their fundraiser so far, the overwhelming show of love and support for Kale has been truly heartwarming! When times get hard it means everything to them to have their community (and beyond) behind them!

Also extra thanks to Noah for writing the update above as I didn’t have the spoons,

Thank you all so, so, much

Love,

Kale

xxx

--------------------------------------

(Old fundraiser text below here)

--------------------------------------

Dear friends,

I come to you with a heartfelt plea to support Kale, a 31-year-old disabled non-binary community disability advocate who is facing the looming threat of homelessness once more. Kale has encountered significant challenges due to their disabilities, which has made it increasingly difficult to maintain stable housing and access essential resources.

As their PA/carer & friend for the last couple of years, I know Kale to be the kind of person who goes above and beyond for their friends and acquaintances - even to their own detriment at times - and wholeheartedly believe that they deserve the same love and support from others that they give so freely. I know that virtually none of us have much in the way of funds, but I hope that together we can collect enough to fix this situation with what little we each can spare.

Kale is unable to work due to their multiple disabilities, and so their only income is from benefits, which I’m sure we all know are erratic and difficult to access at the best of times! The latest benefits fiasco has resulted in them having no income for months, has forced them to burn through their savings, leaving them in a dire financial situation. Additionally, as a Trans non-binary person, they face additional hurdles in finding safe housing, especially which meets their accessibility needs.

We’re working hard on trying to sort out the benefits situation, but it cannot be sorted in time to keep them from ending up homeless.

As they’ve been homeless before when they were a teenager, this situation is extremely triggering, which obviously makes it even harder to try and manage the situation.

The funds raised through this GoFundMe campaign will be allocated towards:

Immediate housing assistance: Moving expenses (van hire, movers, final payments for utilities and current housing), and a storage unit for safely storing their essential belongings while they are sofa-surfing.

Ongoing stable housing: Covering secure longer term housing, including holding fees, deposit, first month’s rent, and any other fees required for future housing. Covering rent and utilities until benefits resume payments.

These first two sections are expected to use up the vast majority of the funds, unless we significantly exceed our goal!

Basic needs support: Providing funds for groceries, transportation, and essential supplies to alleviate financial strain. Contributing towards ongoing financial stability, by paying off debts that have built up over the last few months, to avoid them increasing, and prevent any debt recovery legal action.

Accessibility accommodations: Ensuring Kale has access to necessary medical equipment, assistive devices, and covering disability-related expenses.

Your generosity can make an immense difference in Kale's life, offering a light at the end of the tunnel. Every contribution - no matter the size - brings us one step closer to ensuring Kale's safety and security, and will be greatly appreciated!

Let's come together to show Kale that they are valued, supported, and deserving of a safe place to call home. Your kindness and compassion will make a profound impact on their journey towards stability and empowerment.

In the unlikely event that we have any excess money left over once Kale has been safely housed, it will be donated to other trans people's healthcare fundraisers, in order to give back to the community.

Thank you for your generosity and for standing in solidarity with Kale during this difficult time.

If you can't afford to contribute financially, please share this fundraiser, and Kale's housing search posts on social media, as good reach can make all the difference!

Feel free to contact Kale directly if you can offer any other means of support.

Sincerely,

Suzy Fenge (Kale’s PA), and the Support Kale Campaign Team