A FLOORING company is supporting a Cumbrian mum who uses her national social media influence to help raise awareness of children with Down’s syndrome.
Via her Instagram page, which has over 16,000 followers, Megan Cummings posts about her four-year-old daughter Willow, who has the genetic disorder.
Megan, who lives in Millom, is also an ambassador for Wouldn’t Change a Thing, a parent-led charity set up to correct negative, outdated perceptions of the capabilities and quality of life of people with Down’s syndrome.
After hearing about her work and the charity, independent North-East based retailer Flooring Superstore – which has 19 stores across the UK – reached out to Megan to see if it could provide support.
This resulted in the retailer donating flooring which would help Willow in her home.
Megan, who had a husband Simon and two sons George and Freddie explained: “Willow is prone to being sick so the carpet in the living room and hallway needed to be replaced with something more suitable.
“Our outside area was also paved and so we needed something which would protect Willow when she falls.
“We were therefore going to buy some laminate flooring and artificial grass and when I spoke to Flooring Superstore and told them about my work with Wouldn’t Change A Thing, they offered to supply it free of charge, which was absolutely amazing.
“The flooring and grass were put down just prior to the lockdown, so it couldn’t have come a better time now we are all at home. Willow and the boys love playing on the grass!”
Megan says she been staggered by the response to her Instagram page.
She adds: “I set out to share pictures and updates about life with a Down’s syndrome child and how children like Willow are no different than anyone else.
“It spiralled from them and this led to me becoming an ambassador of Wouldn’t Change A Thing, which is a great honour.
“At the end of the day, we are just a group of parents aiming to create a world where negative perceptions of Down’s syndrome are just a thing of the past.”
Greig Anderson, Flooring Superstore Regional Manager, said: “Megan is doing an amazing job using her social media influence to raise awareness of children with Down’s syndrome, and we were delighted to be able to support her with this donation.
“We’re delighted to have been able to do our own little bit to make life easier for Willow and have enjoyed seeing pictures of her playing on the new flooring and grass.”
Flooring Superstore donated its studio white laminate and grass from its Adelaide range to the family.