Winter appeal

Last winter, Beverley began receiving handwritten notes through her letterbox from unknown authors. She took the first one to her neighbour to find out what it said - the note was a death threat.

Beverley was being singled out for having a learning disability. The council and police were notified by social services, but the letters kept coming - five in total. Each contained a message of hate and intolerance.

Her fear grew – she began spending more time indoors and became withdrawn, a prisoner in her own home.

Beverley's volunteer advocate called the Mencap Learning Disability Helpline. Lorraine, one of the community advisers, was able to give her advice about how to deal with the police and the council.

After the final letter arrived, Beverley was put into emergency care for protection, but she’s since moved into a new house. The attacks have ended, but she’s still terrified that her tormentors will find out where she lives.

Please consider making a donation to Mencap. Your gift could help ensure that our community advisers are there to give immediate attention and long-term support to victims of disability hate crime.

• £15 could pay for a helpline adviser to answer two calls from victims of disability hate crime who need our help.
• £22 could pay for a session to discuss the best way for us to support someone who has been attacked in their community.
• £35 could pay for a community adviser to spend two hours with someone who has been victimised.