Committed Newton Aycliffe disability advocate honoured with community award

Jackie McFadden, the driving force and founder of the local charity ‘All Disabilities Matter’, was honoured on December 11 with the ‘Community Recognition Award’ from Great Aycliffe Town Council.

The award is to recognise and celebrate Jackie’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities and her efforts to create inclusive opportunities for all. 

Jackie McFadden second left with the team from ADM (Image: contributor) Jackie’s journey began with a personal mission, to provide better social opportunities for her disabled daughter and others with disabilities. 

Jackie said: “Despite my daughter being disabled, she wanted to do normal things that any other child wants to do at school.

“Unfortunately, there was a lack of opportunities for disabled children to engage in activities like discos and meet up in safe environments.

“I set out to do something to fill the void for adults and children with learning difficulties, plus physical and mental disabilities.”

L-R Jackie’s partner Gary Lewis, Mayoress Mrs Bernadette Clark, Jackie McFadden and Mayor Mr John Clarke (image: Tony Beddard)With this vision in mind, Jackie founded her charity All Disabilities Matter (ADM) which started by organising monthly disco events in Newton Aycliffe for disabled people. 

Originally hosted at a local club, the discos have grown in popularity over the years and are now held at the Phoenix Club on MacMillan Road in Newton Aycliffe. 

These events offer a safe, welcoming space for individuals with disabilities to socialise and have fun. 

Jackie’s passion and dedication have not only made these events possible but also inspired others to join her cause. 

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One such supporter is Tony Beddard, whose son greatly benefitted from the discos.  

Tony Beddard, second right at the back, with the team of ADM as they welcomed visitors to their disability friendly winter wonderland. (Image: contributor) Tony, now chairman of ADM, explained how the group’s impact expanded after achieving charity status earlier this year. 

He said: “Our charity has the ambition to reach, support and provide opportunities for more disabled individuals and their carers in Newton Aycliffe and across County Durham.”

The charity is spreading holiday cheer this December with a special Santa’s Grotto and winter wonderland in a formerly vacant town centre unit in Newton Aycliffe.

Open to all disability groups and charities, the grotto is also available for private group bookings.

On the next two Saturdays, the grotto will welcome everyone in the community to share in the festive spirit.

Jackie has called Newton Aycliffe home for many years, and her work exemplifies the best of community spirit.