ONE of Manchester’s oldest charities, Disabled Living is asking for the public's help to rebuild its heritage as it celebrates its 120th birthday.

The charity has been supporting thousands of disabled people across the region since 1897, but in 2009 a fire resulted in the loss of many of its precious archive materials.

It is asking members of the public to come forwards with their personal stories, images, anecdotes, experiences and materials that relate to the organisation’s significant past, so that it can be preserved and fully celebrated in a brand-new exhibition to open in February - From Donkeys to Innovators, that will pay homage to the charity’s history.

The charity started as the Band of Kindness and Children’s Help Society, to encourage people to be kind to donkeys, and in turn their fellow citizens. It has been reincarnated several times along the way – from The Crippled Children’s Help Society and The Cripples Help Society, which changed in 1985 to the Disabled Living Services and finally in 1992 to Disabled Living as it is known today.

The charity said that due to these title changes and the charity’s length of service, many people are unaware that the activities they were involved in as a child, youth, carer or employee were with Disabled Living.

These activities included: the first wheelchair loans service in Greater Manchester, the establishment of the Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital in Marple, the provision of holidays for thousands of disabled children and adults, a residential provision for disabled adults at Tan Y Bryn in North Wales, fashion and style advice and support about the use of innovative equipment to enable a more independent way of life.

Debra Evans, Disabled Living’s Chief Executive said: “The history of Disabled Living is the stories of the people who were involved with the charity from the disabled people who used its services to the volunteers who packed the Christmas hampers and the nurses who worked at the Marple hospital. People’s memories are what bring the charity to life and we want to have a chance to celebrate and thank the individuals who helped to create the charity that we have today.”

To share any history contact Natasha Bolger at Disabled Living on 0161 214 5959 or email Natasha.bolger@disabledliving.co.uk.