Army veteran launches not-for-profit organisation to help provide paediatric therapy equipment
Mark Dickinson, an armed forces veteran from Wolverhampton, set up KatNat, a not-for-profit limited company, where he uses donations to make early intervention therapy equipment for disabled children from a shed in his garden.
Mark set up the organisation because his granddaughter has cerebral palsy and had taken private therapy at cost of £13,000 in Manchester, where she used a piece of equipment called a pikler triangle, that Mark’s daughter, Katie, thought would be good to use at home.
A pikler triangle is a triangular shaped, indoor climbing frame. It has a fixed shape climbing triangle with the perfect design proportions to allow young children to pull themselves up.
The equipment was £160, but Mark was sure that he could make one, which he did. From there, a friend of Katie’s was told about the equipment that Mark had made and asked for one to be made for her own child too.
After this Mark was inspired by his granddaughter, Nathalene, to make equipment for other children in need.
Mark has now made a variety of equipment, such as parallel walking bars. He makes his own versions and variations of therapy equipment and takes inspiration from products sold by hundreds of different suppliers.
Mark’s service helps families that may be struggling to get the money for their child’s therapy equipment, that may cost hundreds of pounds from a supplier, for a fraction of the price.
All of the money that Mark makes from KatNat goes towards materials and deliveries, which he does himself, to help more children.
On 21st September 2021 KatNat successfully raised £3,000 with 69 supporters in 42 days for disabled children in need of early intervention by giving them free therapy equipment to use at home so that they have a better chance to progress in life.
Mark has mental health issues and PTSD that prevents him from working, he says that “Doing this helps me too”.
Check out the KatNat Just Giving page or visit the KatNat Facebook group here.
