A nine-year-old boy from Chester will soon be able get around independently thanks to a new powered wheelchair.
Finlay Woodcock-Daniels has Cerebral Palsy, which has resulted in him needing to use a wheelchair. Finlay is able to use his manual chair at home and school but out in the community he tires easily and it is more difficult for him to self-propel. A powered wheelchair will make it much easier for him to get around and give him some real independence.
Funding for the £9,955 powered wheelchair has come through a partnership between Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children – the UK’s largest charity provider of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness – and The Morgan Foundation.
Mum Alexa is delighted her son will soon have his new “life changing” equipment.
“For Finlay to be as independent as possible in the community, a power chair is a necessity rather than nice to have,” Alexa explained.
“The equipment is expensive and without the support of Newlife and the Morgan Foundation it would be impossible to fund.”
She added: “At the moment when we are out and about Finlay relies on others to move him around. This equipment will allow him to be independent and get around on his own.”
The Morgan Foundation is working with Newlife to ensure more children with disabilities and terminal illness get the right equipment at the right time. This includes wheelchairs, buggies and walkers for mobility, specialist car seats and beds for safety and a range of other disability equipment including communication aids, walking frames, portable hoists and seating systems.
A Morgan Foundation fundraising golf day and gala dinner in support of Newlife held last year raised £450,000 to provide vital specialist equipment specifically for families across North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire, North Shropshire and parts of the West Midlands.
Steve Morgan, chairman of The Morgan Foundation, said: “Having a vital aid like this means Finlay can get around in comfort and have much needed independence.
“Everyone who took part in our golf day or attended the gala dinner has helped – and will continue to help – make a real difference.”
Newlife is a national charity working extensively with families across the region and has funded a total of £437,534 to support 344 children in Cheshire.
Newlife CEO Sheila Brown added: “As local authority budget cuts continue to bite, more and more families are turning to charities like Newlife so their children can get vital equipment for everyday life. Having the support of The Morgan Foundation is an enormous boost for Newlife.
“We look forward to helping to transform more lives across The Morgan Foundation catchment area. Anyone struggling to access equipment through their statutory services should call our Newlife Nurse Helpline to discuss their individual situation.”
For further information about The Morgan Foundation visit the website, www.morganfoundation.co.uk or call 01829 782800.
If you would like to find out more about Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and how to access its services, call the Newlife Nurse Helpline on 0800 902 0095 (free from UK landlines and mobiles) or go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk.
Pictured: Finlay Woodcock-Daniels
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