A riding stables in Birmingham has unveiled a new fully accessible changing place for disabled riders and their families, thanks to money raised in memory of one of its riders.
Michelle Thompson, whose daughter Evie had a life-limiting rare regressive condition called Zellweger disease and passed away in February 2020, started fundraising in the spring of 2020.
The new changing area includes shower and toilet facilities
Just under £32,000 was raised for the project from donations from friends, family, a local charity — ‘We are All Making a Difference’ — and a grant from the Veolia Trust.
The changing place at Summerfield Stables, Hall Green, is made from a converted shipping container supplied by Midlands-based container conversion specialist, S Jones Containers.
“A changing place is a completely accessible facility which provides sufficient space and equipment for people who are not able to use the toilet independently,” said a statement.
“The unit is one of the first stages in improving disabled access at the stables and will greatly benefit the lives of all the riders.”
The modified container provides a safe space for disabled users to have access to toilets, shower and fully accessible changing facilities.
Until now, the stables had no flush toilets — only portaloos.
The unit needed to be 24ft to fit the required facilities, which is not a standard size, so the S Jones conversion team cut down a 40ft used shipping container to fit the available space. It was then fitted with a wide personnel door, specialist locks, shuttered windows and repainted in green.
Evie on Bobby and with her mum, Michelle (left)
“Evie was a very happy, determined young person with a great sense of humour. She loved visiting the stables every week and riding on Bobby — nothing was ever too much trouble for the stables and they enabled Evie until the very end,” said Michelle.
“I am very grateful to everyone who helped me make my vision become a reality. I couldn’t have done it without the support of the team. It was a pleasure to work with so many wonderful people.”
‘Evie’s spirit lives on’
Georgina Urwin, director at Summerfield Stables, added the new changing place “marks the beginning of our wider project to make the stables accessible to all and be able to welcome more disabled visitors.
“We pride ourselves on offering riding sessions and pony care to increase the confidence and practical skills of young people, and Evie was no exception,” said Georgina.
“She will truly be missed around the yard but her spirit lives on and the ‘Evie Project’ will no doubt benefit many more young people and families over the years.”
Halina Witek, sales team leader at S Jones Containers, said: “It was a pleasure to help Michelle’s vision come to life on this project, and we hope that the converted container will help disabled riders and their families enjoy their time at the stables in the future.”
To support the continued fundraising at Summerfield Stables, contact Michelle Thompson by email.
