Accessible house renovations and car fund

Dear friends,

In September 2022 my dad, Eric Williams, suffered a serious spinal injury which turned his life upside down, and ours as well.

He is currently undergoing treatment and learning to adapt to a very new way of living at Stoke Mandeville National Spinal Injuries Centre in Buckinghamshire. It has been a long and painful journey for him to get this far.

For some time the future was uncertain, but we now know the full extent of his injury and have an idea of what life will be like going forward. Within the limitations of his injury and the technology available to him, we are determined to make it as comfortable, active and enjoyable as it possibly can be.

We are planning for his return home to Henfield in the next few months, which involves major structural adaptations to his and Sara’s home. This starts with the entire reconstruction of the downstairs to accommodate his wheelchair, adaptable bathing facilities, wider doorways, hoists and space for his specialist hospital bed. Eric’s paralysis means he will be reliant on a wheelchair and professional care on a day-to-day basis.

Anyone who knows Eric (many of you from his volunteer work with numerous charities in the village) will know he is an incredibly active and positive person, so it’s inconceivable that he should be housebound. Our aim is to purchase a specially adapted car, which will allow him to be taken out to enjoy the local area, most importantly to see his beloved Brighton & Hove Albion FC play again!

The cost of these adaptions and a specialist vehicle goes significantly beyond the savings pot that Eric and Sara had put by for their retirement, so we are asking you to help make their lives a little easier with a small donation.

We are grateful for the overwhelming number of cards, messages of support and incredible acts of kindness we have received since Dad’s accident. A continued and heartfelt thank you for helping us in this quest to make sure Dad’s future is as fulfilled and active as it deserves to be.

With love from Sara (Eric’s wife), Alex and Vicky (Eric’s daughters).