AN ANDOVER charity has launched a fundraising campaign to raise funds for new equipment to support its neurodivergent service users.

Throughout April and May, Koala Community Hub will fundraising to equip its sensory rooms.

The group currently doesn't have any proper sensory equipment and from May they will have a second sensory room.

Founder Tori Rist said: "Our aim is to raise £4,500, which may seem like a lot of money but commercial-grade sensory equipment is very expensive - we need it to last a while and to be used by all of our community.

"We hope that the summer will see us have two sensory rooms - our larger one for 'active' sensory regulation and our smaller one for 'quiet' and calm. This will ensure that we can meet the needs of all of our community."

READ MORE: Koala Community Hub begins to support neurodivergent people

The group's members will be running a series of community fundraisers, including a bake sale and a sew-a-thon.

Tori added: "Whilst we are still trying to achieve core funding, we think it's really important that we can fully meet the needs of our community while they are at sessions, so let's raise those funds!"

Neurodivergent is a term used to refer to a wide range of variation in perception, attention and learning in the brain that differs from what is considered typical by society at large.

Tori's daughter Florence is neurodivergent, with Tori having spent many years helping people as a teacher as well as co-founding the Andover Isolation Group in lockdown. Over the past few years, she has been the driving force behind the Andover Small School, which plans to set up a new special school in or near to Andover.

SEE ALSO: Koala Community Hub receives grants ahead of expansion plans

Tori has asked that anyone wanting to learn more or get involved in the hub should get in touch with her to help understand what the community needs. She can be reached via tori@moreeducation.co.uk or by visiting: facebook.com/koalacommunityhub.

You can also donate to the fundraising campaign at: justgiving.com/campaign/koalasensoryappeal.

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