A DISABLED boy who had his specialist wheelchair stolen celebrated a happy Easter after a golf club provided him with a replacement chair.
Members of Helsby Golf Club’s Wheelchair Appeal were so touched by the plight of 12-year-old Jake Wynne, whose chair was stolen from outside his Cuddington home, they decided they would pay for a new one to be made for him.
The club, which regularly raises funds for children who are born with disabilities that severely affect their mobility, wanted to give Jake the chance to enjoy his Easter holiday without being confined to staying indoors as he is only able to walk short distances.
Club leader Bert Dyson and secretary Penny Ainsworth went to visit Jake to kit him out with a temporary wheelchair until his made-to-measure version arrives next week.
Penny said: “We saw Jake’s story on TV and decided that we could afford to help get make him a specialist replacement chair.
“When we took the temporary chair to him, he was ecstatic and is now able to enjoy a very happy Easter holiday break with his family.
“Every time we present a chair the child looks so thrilled and it makes us thrilled as well.
“It tugs at the heartstrings as well when you see them.”
Jake, who has suffered from cerebral palsy and epilepsy since birth and is unable to speak, will now be able to travel to Scotland with his mother Maureen for a short break to the seaside, thanks to his new wheelchair.
Maureen said it will make ‘a tremendous difference’ to her son.
“Now Jake can get out and about we’re going to go on lots of day trips,” she said. “He’s so pleased we can go to the seaside.
“It is just such a lovely thing for the club to do and I cannot thank them enough.”
Jake’s regular wheelchair will be officially presented to him at Helsby Golf Club’s Spring Dance on April 21.
