Dorset charity provides 'adventure chairs' for disabled children to get outdoors
Dorset Children's Foundation's helping families to use parks and beaches
A Dorset charity's providing 'adventure chairs' to families with children who have disabilities, to help them get outdoors.
The Dorset Children's Foundation (DCF) has been given £28,800 towards 50 of the special buggies.
The money's come from the Talbot Village Trust, a grant giving organisation in south east Dorset.
The all-terrain wheelchairs allow families to visit off-road sites like beaches and parks more easily.
William's story
William has Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, a rare and progressive condition affecting the central nervous system.
He and his family have used the equipment from DCF, to keep getting out into forests, while making sure William is safe.
His parents said:
“Our son can do so many things despite his disability but one thing he couldn't do before was join his sisters on their outdoor adventures because of the limitations of his wheelchair, but his Adventure Chair can go pretty much anywhere and now he's finally a part of their adventures and he LOVES IT!”
So far 29 children have directly benefitted from the adventure chairs.
Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, Chair of Talbot Village Trust, said:
“Being able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful landscapes our county has to offer is key to our well-being and it is essential that this is accessible to everyone. All of us at the Trust are delighted to have been a part of supporting so many deserving families to be able to experience one of life’s greatest joys.”
Patsy Hallmey, DCF Co-Founder said:
“We want to thank Talbot Village Trust for their donation which has made a huge difference to our charity and the lives of our families, especially the children. A big donation like this is just remarkable and enables us to purchase mobility equipment which is expensive and would otherwise be out of reach for many of our families.
"We are passionate about enabling disabled children to do what able bodied children can, and now many of them can enjoy the beautiful countryside where we live."