Teenager Lauren Innes, from Glenrothes, is confined to a wheelchair by Cerebral Palsy, but needs to stand up at every opportunity to strengthen her muscles, keep her hips aligned and maintain her digestive and respiratory health. At the moment this means using a bulky hoist to transfer her from her existing wheelchair to a standing frame at school. However, a hi-tech wheelchair could do the job of all three pieces of equipment – and she could use it at home too.
Now Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children is looking for ‘local heroes’ who can help us make this happen. We already have £5,528 towards this vital piece of equipment, which costs £16,586; however, we still have £11,058 to find.
We need donors and fundraisers who want to really make a difference, helping us transform Lauren’s everyday life. To find out how you can support Lauren go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk/fife and click on the Donate button next to her story. Alternatively, contact the Newlife County Liaison Team on 01543 431 444, email local@newlifecharity.co.uk.
Newlife guarantees that 100 per cent of monies donated or fundraised in Fife will be used to specifically help children with disabilities and terminal illness in the county. Any money raised surplus to requirements for Lauren, aged 15 and a pupil at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes, will be used to help other children in the county.
Mum Jacqueline Innes says: “There are specialist sit-to-stand wheelchairs available that would enable Lauren to stand up whenever, wherever she wanted. Not only would this help maintain her health, it would improve her emotional and social wellbeing.
“She has become increasingly frustrated by being restricted to a sitting position for most of the day; the process of transferring her from the wheelchair and into a standing frame and then back again means a lot of time away from her lessons. With a new hi-tech wheelchair she could stand up whenever she wanted – and for lessons like home economics it would be a big plus. She could also stand at home when she is helping in the kitchen – which would be essential physiotherapy without Lauren having to even think about it.”
Newlife is the UK’s largest charity provider of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness. It has already provided more than £170,000 of equipment for 80 children in Fife. However, the number of families who urgently need vital equipment has reached an all-time high – Lauren’s is one of eight families in Fife currently working with Newlife to secure equipment totalling £45,830.
Newlife CEO Sheila Brown, OBE, said: “Newlife works with hundreds of national retailers and manufacturers to operate its own successful recycling and retail business which funds core services, however we have received more applications for equipment than ever before. I am worried that, with demand continuing to rise, we may not be able to help every child. Public support has never been needed more.”
She added: “I know this is a busy time for families as they start thinking about the festive season, but I am urging people to spare a minute to consider how they could help improve a disabled child’s life this Christmas. All fundraising and donations can be restricted to help change the life of a disabled child in your county. And we let everyone know how their money has been spent.”
Pictured: Lauren Innes
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