Our Christmas Partnership with The Express
Freedom to experience life like her peers
This Christmas, we have joined forces with The Daily Express to raise money for our urgent Childhood Can’t Wait appeal to reopen our waitlist. The Express, by sharing the stories of the children and young people we support with its readers, has helped us to amplify their voices and show the transformative effect of the right wheelchair or mobility equipment.
Readers of The Express have been invited to give the gift of childhood this Christmas, and we have been astounded by their sheer generosity of their response. We have raised an astonishing amount so far. We extend our thanks to everyone who has donated, it means the world to us and the young people we support.
Meet Harper, one of the children who features in The Express. You can see the original piece from the Express here.
Photo courtesy of the Daily Express
Harper
Harper is a bubbly, sassy and bright 3 year old. She was born with a rare muscle disorder and scoliosis, which causes her spine to curve. Because of her condition, she’s smaller than most children her age, and many people assume she’s much younger than she is.
This was especially true before she came to Whizz Kidz. She was offered a manual wheelchair by the NHS, but it was far too heavy for her to push. The only alternative was to use a pram, which meant most people spoke to her and treated her like a baby.
The right wheelchair makes a real difference
Back in April, Harper received her powered wheelchair from Whizz Kidz, which has been incredibly transformative, giving her a real sense of freedom and independence. It means she can explore the world just like her peers. This simply would not be possible without it.
Every child should have the opportunity to be independent, regardless of whether they can walk or speak. Why should a child not have some type of aid to experience the world the way we do?
Jasmin Grover, Harper's Mum
The freedom to trick-or-treat
This October was Harper’s very first time trick-or-treating, an experience she and her family will never forget, but something that is taken for granted by a lot of children and their parents.
Harper can raise the seat in her chair, allowing for a better view when speaking to people. Her new chair not only allows her to move around and experience life like her peers, but also be spoken to as a child and not a baby. The significance of this can’t be underestimated. Her Mum said that she has seen Harper’s intelligence grow alongside her confidence, a result of her being able to do so much more.
A Christmas where you can give the gift of childhood
From us, to the readers of the Daily Express, thank you. We know that times are tough, and every donation means the absolute world to us and the children and families we support.
Your support will mean that children don’t spend a day longer than they have to waiting for mobility equipment that will unlock so much potential.
This Christmas, you truly can give the gift of childhood.