‘It’s brilliant! They give children like Hunter a lifeline, the ability to move around’

WITH a cheeky grin, five-year-old Hunter Barnbrook demonstrates how he makes his wheelchair spin — pushing one wheel forwards and the other back to twirl on the spot.

- BY HANNA GEISSLER Health Editor

He then races across the floor of the Beacon Church Centre in Rubery, Birmingham, which has been turned into a temporary wheelchair clinic by Whizz Kidz.

The charity — backed by this year’s Express Christmas appeal — provides life-changing equipment for families who cannot get what they need on the NHS.

But its work does not end when the chair is delivered. Children regularly attend clinics for adjustments and repairs to ensure their devices last for as long as possible.

Hunter, the first visitor of the day, was born at 25 weeks and has cerebral palsy. He received his manual wheelchair from Whizz Kidz a year ago.

Mum Laura, 39, said: “We were offered one on the NHS. It took two years to get the appointment, but then it wasn’t the right chair for him; he couldn’t self-propel, so he wouldn’t have any independence.

“We contacted Whizz Kidz, they gave us this one, and he’s been flying ever since.

“It’s a brilliant chair. We can use it on grass, out and about. It’s really light so it’s easy for Hunter to move around.”

During the appointment, Hunter had the chair’s backrest changed to make it more comfortable. Mobility engineer Mark Hammond also expanded some parts to ensure a good fit as Hunter grows.

Laura said: “We noticed Hunter was leaning to the left in his chair so he needs a bit more support around the middle. He’s just started school, and he’s finding that quite tiring, so by the end of the day, he’s slumping more. It’s brilliant that Whizz Kids do this. They give children like Hunter a lifeline, the ability to move around.”