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Zack’s Campaign Visit to Parliament

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In just 13 weeks, since he launched his campaign, Zack has attracted over 100,000 signatures on his online petition hosted by www.change.org. His campaign was begun to raise awareness of the huge issue of discrimination against 260,000 disabled travellers like himself, when trying to find ChangingPlace toilet facilities at motorway service stations in the U.K.  Currently there are only 14 such accessible Changing Place facilities in the whole of England and Wales, out of over 100 Service Stations. And none at all north of the Birmingham M6 Toll Motorway. When Zack, and those like him, travel around the country, they are forced to sit in discomfort and unhygienic conditions or more often than not, be lifted out of their wheelchairs and changed on a dirty toilet floor. The alternative is to stay at home and not travel around for days out and holidays. His petition is directed at Moto, WelcomeBreak and RoadChef, who operate the vast majority of the service stations in the UK, to seek their commitment to install ChangingPlace facilities ar ALL their service stations, in order to make their services truly accessible to ALL travellers, regardless of their needs or abilities. Currently they are failing over a quarter of a million disabled people in our country, yet they are showing little interest in improving the situation in the near future. Given the guidelines in the 1995 Disability Discrimiation Act and 2010 Equality Act, we believe this is not acceptable.

Zack’s Campaign has been hugely successful, largely down to his own persistence and determination. You can read all about his work, efforts and media coverage on his petition pages here: 

https://www.change.org/p/have-accessible-changing-facilities-at-every-uk-motorway-service-station

He has appeared in the local press many times, in magazine articles, on BBC North West television, has been interviewed on BBC Radio Lancashire, has given talks and presentations at local sixth form colleges, to the local council and to medical professionals.

He has attracted support from Changing-Places.org, Beaumont College (Scope), Derian House Children’s Hospice, Mobiloo, BBC Radio Lancashire, Hyndburn Borough Council, Honley Male Voice Choir, 2BR Radio, AccessAdvisor, Trip-Ability, not to mention a number of celebrity friends, TV and Radio personalities and countless new online friends, many from the disability and accessibility communities. 

Given the success and publicity which his campaign has attracted, Zack has now been invited to London where his local MP, Graham Jones, has arranged a meeting with the Transport Minster, a tour of the Houses of Parliament and the chance to sit in the commons to hear a debate. He will present his petition to Paul Maynard MP the Transport Minister. The trip will attract considerable media coverage, not least from the BBC who are following his story with interest.

We have never sought to raise funds or accept donations during our camapaign efforts and thus far all printing, travelling and publicity materials have been funded ourselves. Indeed, we have refused donations from some well wishers in the past given that the campaign was primarily about raising awareness rather than raising funds. However, a trip to London for Zack, along with his younger brother and us as his carers will not be cheap as we have to stay in central London in an accessible hotel with disabled facilities, and we have to drive there, given the amount of medical equipment which Zack relies on each day. Zack has never been to London before and this is a bit of a dream come true for him, so we want to try and make the trip a memorable and enjoyable one, not just a long journey and with a business meeting. We would love to take him to a London show, take him around the tourist spots, ride on the London Eye etc. It’s  the least we can do to show him how proud we are of his efforts and hard work, especially given the day-to-day challenges which he already faces. 

Given the speed of organising this trip, we have just 10 days to raise some funds.

Ultimately this visit will help raise awareness of the injustice of this issue for all disabled people. We will receive significant media coverage, both local and national and will have the opportunity to speak face to face with MPs about the challenges which people like Zack continue to face each day.

If you are able to make a contribution to Zack’s expenses, we would be very grateful. Any funds raised which are not required for the London visit will be used to continue to promote the campaign through advertising and publicity materials and travel costs to and from future engagements.

Thanks in advance for your support and generosity.

Krissy (mum), Ceri (stepdad) and Zack
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • £5 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Ceri Davies
Organizer
Zack Kerr
Beneficiary

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