Community rallies round charity facing lift repair bill

A Semington charity is facing a £45,000 bill to repair its ageing lift after plans to install a donated replacement were halted, despite local businesses rallying round to support the project.

The setback comes weeks after Chantelle Mead, chief executive at the Independent Living Centre in Semington, spent three weeks living and working inside the Independent Living Centre’s lift to raise funds for essential building improvements, including rewiring, a boiler replacement and a new lift.

The fundraising effort raised £1,850, with additional support coming from a donation offer of a lift from Stiltz and work from local builders Clements and Morris, who coordinated the installation project and sourced donated materials from suppliers.

However, Chantelle said the project has been halted because Wiltshire Council said the Stiltz lift does not meet the regulations required for a commercial building.

Instead, they must now pay to repair their original 27-year-old lift at a cost of £45,000.

“If we don’t do this, it goes against what we stand for as a charity supporting disabled people,” said Chantelle.

“Although we’re obviously disappointed the installation can’t proceed, the story has really become one about community spirit and businesses rallying around a local charity. Clements and Morris have been brilliant – they managed to get timber, plasterboard, fire doors that all donated for us. And even now the project can’t be finished, they are looking into ways to raise additional funds for us.”

The Independent Living Centre offers occupational therapy advice and assessments to disabled people, older people and people living with long-term health conditions to enable them to stay independent at home. The building is also home to a number of local charities and support organisations.

Pictured: Chantelle working from the lift