Powered wheelchair for teenager Emma
FUNDRAISING efforts by staff and customers at a gaming centre in Hinckley have helped improve the everyday life of a local girl.
Emma Taylor has received a special powered wheelchair to boost her mobility thanks to generous folk at the Cashino outlet on Castle Street, Hinckley.
Sixteen-year-old Emma has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which causes frequent joint dislocations resulting in pain and tiredness. She also has mild scoliosis leaving her with an abnormally twisted spine.
Cashino, which operates 170 adult gaming centres across the country, is one of the main fundraisers for CHIPS, a charity set up on behalf of the gaming industry, which aims to provide specialised powered wheelchairs for children with severe mobility problems.
Emma’s mum, Carolyn said: “We are so thankful to Cashino and CHIPS for the generous donation. Because Emma is able to walk short distances with the help of orthotic boots she doesn’t meet the requirements to get a wheelchair from the NHS. This will change my daughter’s life for the good and she is so excited to start getting out and about.
“Emma just wants to have a normal life and not miss out on family and friends’ activities. The powered wheelchair will give her a huge amount of independence, which is just what any girl her age wants.”
Cashino’s venue manager, Gavin Carter, said: “Emma is a lovely girl and so deserving of this chair. Daily life is often hard for her and she is in a lot of pain. Being able to raise money and make her life easier makes all our fundraising worthwhile.”
In total, CHIPS has raised more than £1.5 million and presented more than 450 wheelchairs to children throughout the UK.