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FAMILY IN CRISIS SAVED BY CHARITY’S RAPID RESPONSE

A little boy who has complex disabilities is in dire need of a new specialist buggy so he can leave the house safely and without being at risk of hurting himself.

Mason Parker is relying on the support of the community to help raise the £359 needed to fund the equipment that will drastically improve his life, especially to use whilst he’s at school.

Because of the complications caused by his disabilities – exacerbated by not having access to the equipment he needs, winter walks with his family won’t be possible this Christmas.

Mason, from Essex, is severely autistic, non-verbal, has sensory processing disorder, dyspraxia, hypermobility and global development delay, which means he can often go into a meltdown when he breaks his usual routine.

He’s comfortable in a specialist buggy but he’s grown too big for his current one and the foot plate has broken putting him at danger of injury.

Mum Sarah parker has also developed tennis elbow and a bad back from lifting Mason and is unable to lift the chair into the car because it’s too heavy.

This is stopping Mason and his family from going out together.

A new buggy would not only be life-changing for him but also for his sisters Charlotte and Emily, who end up missing out too.

Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children has stepped in to launch a public fundraising drive in an attempt to raise the £359 for the pushchair so mum Sarah can make Mason’s life the best it can possibly be.

Mum Sarah said: “It would mean the world to us to receive the buggy, life is so hard at the moment but it would make it that little bit easier.

“We aren’t really taking Mason out anywhere at the moment unless it’s in the car, even before the lockdown, because of the problems with his pushchair.

“The footplate broke recently and as he moves his legs a lot he could hurt himself on it – I’ve had to wrap foam around it as a temporary solution.

“It’s just so heavy and I really struggle to lift it into the car. He’s just a happy little boy – when things are going his way anyway – and it would make such a difference to not only Mason’s lives but his sisters too.”

The national lockdowns have made life increasingly difficult for Mason, who struggles when his usual routine changes – not being able to go to school every day has been incredibly difficult for him to adapt to.

Newlife, which supports disabled and terminally ill children across the UK, has been forced to shut its fleet of shops – the charity’s main source of income – for the second time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first lockdown caused huge financial losses in excess of £2.5 million.

Carrick Brown, Senior Manager for Newlife’s Child and Family Team, said: “It’s clear how much of a difference a new buggy would make to Mason, particularly during such a difficult time for the family.

“Because of the second lockdown forcing us to shut our shops and lose our main source of income, we’ve been left in a position where we’re sadly unable to fund the buggy ourselves.

“I’m hoping that the community can pull together to help make a contribution towards the appeal. No matter how big or small the donation, your generosity will go directly towards drastically improving the life of Mason, his mum and two sisters.”

Newlife is the leading charity supplier of specialist equipment for disabled and terminally ill children around the UK.

The charity has been providing grants of equipment including specialist beds, seats, buggies and car seats to keep children safe and improve their quality of life for 30 years.

Anyone able to help Mason should urgently contact Newlife on 01543 431 444, visit https://newlife.support/HelpMason or email fundraise@newlifecharity.co.uk. You can also text NEWLIFE MASON to 70500 to give £10 to his appeal. 100% of your donation will go towards Newlife. Texts cost the £10 donation plus one message at your standard network rate. Always get the bill payer’s permission.

Money raised above the amount needed for Mason’s specialist buggy will be used to help other disabled and terminally ill children in need.

By completing the Gift Aid form you will allow Newlife to claim an extra 25% on donations you make at no extra cost to you.