An Olympic gold medallist and the man who fronted the public health messaging for the coronavirus pandemic response are backing a £75,000 project to install specially designed public toilets in Pitlochry for people with disabilities.
Curler Eve Muirhead and the Scottish Government’s national clinical director Jason Leitch are supporting the Atholl Centre’s plans to build a Changing Places Toilet to help people with learning and physical disabilities including spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.
Iain Walker, director of the Atholl Centre, wants to install the facilities to mark the building’s 50th year and as a way to help visitors to to the town.
The centre has already raised £27,500 of its £75,000 target and has now welcomed the support of the pair, as well as Depute First Minister John Swinney.
Mr Walker said: “The Atholl Centre in Pitlochry is delighted that Eve Muirhead, the Olympic curling gold medallist and local girl, has endorsed its crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to install a Changing Places Toilet.
“The Pitlochry Community Council and the local MSP, John Swinney, are also endorsing this project as it will benefit the town in different ways, when it opens up after the covid pandemic.
“Professor Jason Leitch the National Clinical Director for the Scottish Government is supporting us in this venture, which we are so pleased about.”
If the target is reached the centre would become the first location of a Changing Place facility toilet in Highland Perthshire.
Mr Walker added: “Anyone with profound or multiple learning disabilities, as well people with other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy will soon be able to locate a very special toilet in Pitlochry.
“These people are presently excluded from a wide range of activities because of their disabilities and are denied the freedom to travel and to go out for the day.
“This is because there is not a suitable toilet for them to use when they are away from home.”
A Changing Places Toilet provides enough space to accommodate a wheelchair user and two carers in a large room with a centrally placed toilet to facilitate toileting and changing assistance.
There will also be a height adjustable changing bench, a ceiling track hoist, and shower facilities provided.
To support the campaign visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/athollcentre-changing-places-toilet/backers#start
