A MOTHER’S campaign to get a specialised disability toilet installed in the town centre has been give a major boost thanks to the backing of an Andover charity.

Amy Attrill has received the support of Andover and District Mencap in her fight to get a fully accessible toilet facility for the town.

The charity’s chief executive, Chris Dixon, said his organisation already has such a facility, which can cater for those who need more equipment than that of a standard disability toilet.

He said the facility, located at its Wellington Centre site in Winchester Road, is already open to the public. However, he believes a similar toilet in the town centre would be a great addition for Andover.

Mr Dixon said: “We have a facility like this and it is accessible to the whole community whenever we are open. But for Andover and District Mencap we feel it is really important that Andover has central facilities for those members of the community and their families that need this type of facility at that time of need.

“That’s why we are happy to back Amy’s idea.”

As previously reported in The Advertiser, Mrs Attrill started the campaign due to her six-year-old son Kane, who suffers from severe constipation and bowel impaction, making his toilet needs unpredictable.

According to Amy, Kane can go up to ‘27 days without going to the toilet’ but when he needs to go he can go ‘at any time’. Mrs Attrill, 36, added this can leave her having to change her son on the ‘floor of a public toilet’ - something described as “unhygienic”.

The River Way resident said a specialised facility, with a moveable sink and an adult changing table, will allow people with disabilities and vulnerable adults to use the toilet ‘with dignity’.

Since launching her campaign, which comes from a national campaign called ‘Changing Places’, Mrs Attrill has been ‘overwhelmed’ with support.

Her handwritten survey has been completed dozens of times already and her newly launched online petition has already gathered more than 100 signatures.

She said: “I’m really pleased with the response.It’s made me really excited about it - it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while but I’ve not had the confidence. But I’ve had lots of support from people messaging me online. It’s been really nice.”

She added: “This toilet is not just for adults with disabilities, it’s for young people and even elderly people as well. This could help a lot of people.

“It would be great if a business could come forward and help find a place to have this toilet.”

To view Amy’s petition, visit: www.change.org/p/amy-attrill-disability-toilet-facility-for-all-different-needs-in-andover-uk.