Widow's petition so wheelchair using daughter can visit dad's Doncaster grave

A grieving widow has called on a Doncaster area parish council to make a cemetery more accessible so her wheelchair using daughter can visit her dad’s grave.
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Laura Bolton and her five-year-old daughter Beau make regular trips to Harworth Cemtery to pay their respects to husband and dad Matthew who died last summer at the age of 32 after a battle with oesophageal cancer.

But Laura fears that unless the cemetery off Tickhill Road is made more accessible, Beau, who is a permanent wheelchair user because of spina bifida, will be unable to visit her dad’s resting place.

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She said: “It quickly became clear that once the next row ‘fills up’ Beau will be unable to visit her dad.

Mum Laura wants her wheelchair using daughter Beau to be able to properly visit her dad's grave,Mum Laura wants her wheelchair using daughter Beau to be able to properly visit her dad's grave,
Mum Laura wants her wheelchair using daughter Beau to be able to properly visit her dad's grave,

"When I pass away, I too will be buried in the same plot so Beau won’t be able to visit me either."

Laura is calling on Harworth Town Council to install a footpath in the cemetery so Beau and other wheelchair users and those with mobility issues don’t have to walk on grass which currently surrounds the plots.

She said: “I’ve already approached the council who can see no solution but haven’t completely dismissed my concern.

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"However I’m against the clock as the cemetery will continue to fill up.

"I don’t want to have a go against the council, I want to work with them to find a solution.”

She said: “This isn’t just for Beau, cemeteries should be accessible for wheelchair users to pay their respects to their loved ones without going over some else’s grave. We are in the 21st century, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

You can sign the petition HERE

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