Fabulous fundraisers at the Midlands Co-operative convenience store in Rothley, Leicestershire, have helped fund a hi-tech powered wheelchair for a disabled local teenager.
A community fun day at the Loughborough Road store saw colleagues and customers raise more than £680. The event included a raffle and tombola, cake and book stalls, with manager Paul Simpson in the stocks. Paul said: “We had the support of a lot of local businesses, which provided raffle prizes, and our customers who helped make our community event such a success. We are delighted to report that we have raised this significant amount of money for Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, and that a Leicestershire child will directly benefit.”
Newlife Foundation is Midlands Co-operative’s staff elected charity; since the partnership was launched in May 2012, over £300,000 has been raised, funding specialist equipment for more than 150 children in the company’s trading area.
The latest of these is 15-year-old Declan Spencer from Syston, a village less than four kilometres from the Rothley store.
Declan has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which is causing his muscles to waste away; this has meant he has been a full-time wheelchair user for the past six years.
The new £12,394 all-terrain powered wheelchair being provided by Newlife thanks to Midlands Co-operative funding will mean Declan will be able to ‘access all areas’ – and pursue his outdoor hobbies including photography and racing remote control cars.
Mum Alexandra Spencer said: “We live in a semi rural area and a lot of the things Declan likes to do are outdoors. This new ‘4×4’ wheelchair will be a huge help; he loves to be out in our local forest area and this equipment will allow him to get off the tarmac paths and see so much more. Not only that but it means he will be able to get to school in the snow.”
Declan added: “I can’t wait for the all terrain chair, I’m looking forwards to being able to go up to the top of Bradgate Park and being able to go onto the beach next summer.”
Rothley store manager Paul Simpson added: “As a regional retailer we always ensure that our staff-elected charity supports people in need in our trading area. We are delighted to have been able to help Declan and his family in this way.”
Pictured: Declan Spencer & his Mum, Alexandra.
Web: https://newlifecharity.co.uk Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/newlifecharity Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/newlifefoundation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NewlifeFoundation
