Treloar’s is asking people living in Alton and the surrounding villages to contribute to its annual Winter Appeal.

This year’s Treloar’s Winter Appeal is focusing on raising funds to replace 54 hoists across the school.

Hoists are a life-changing piece of equipment that allow individuals to maintain their independence and dignity by safely manoeuvring them within their classrooms, learning areas and residential houses.

The Maxi Sky 600 hoists that are used across Treloar’s are coming to the end of their working lives and will become obsolete by December 2025.

The school currently has 154 of these hoists, all of which are in constant daily use. Each new hoist costs £910.

The school is urgently fundraising to replace the remaining 54 hoists. Over the years the complexity of Treloar’s students’ needs has increased, and today all students are wheelchair users. The majority have a sensory impairment and more than half use assisted speech technology to communicate.

For nearly all students, getting out of their wheelchair is impossible without assistance. Having hoists enables students to get out of their wheelchairs in their classrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, swimming pool and leisure areas.

Clare Bradford, the joint head of physiotherapy at Treloar’s, said: “Given our students’ complexities, hoists are an absolute necessity for safely manoeuvring our students within their classrooms and learning areas and in the residential houses.

“The hoists also enable students to access a variety of equipment and environments. This includes being able to get on to their trikes or access the trampoline, swimming pool and soft play.

“Hoists are found in all common rooms, physiotherapy rooms and in students’ bedrooms and bathrooms.

“Having hoists available in each room plays a huge role in unlocking the potential in our students and enabling them a greater level of independence, choice and comfort.

“If you are able, please help us provide hoists for all our students by donating to our Winter Appeal.”

A Treloar’s student said: “Having a hoist in class is marvellous. I can now do walking and standing with my friends and not miss out on anything else.”

Leon, another student, added: “It’s nice to be out of my wheelchair. I had never been hoisted before I got to Treloar’s so it’s nice to not be sitting down all day now. I like getting out of my chair - it’s not good to be in it all day so it’s good to do other stuff.”

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/treloarswinterappeal, or visit the Treloar’s website and consider making a one-off donation or a regular gift.

Or text HOIST, followed by a donation amount of £5, £10 or £20, to 70480. Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.

People can call the office on 01420 547477 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday and the fundraising team will take their donations by debit or credit card.

And they can send a cheque, payable to Treloar’s and stating their name and address, to Treloar Appeal, Fundraising Team, Powell Drive, Holybourne, Alton GU34 4GL.