A ‘superstar’ six-year-old has been given the gift of independence thanks to a community effort to fund a new, safer wheelchair for him.
Dylan Edge, from Blacon , has Patau Syndrome and desperately needed a new wheelchair as his standard issue chair from the NHS was not meeting his needs any more.
A crowdfunding appeal set up by his parents Claire and Stuart raised more than £1,000 and Chester business Dandy’s Topsoil generously stepped in with the remaining £1,385 to purchase one custom-made for Dylan.
Dylan received the wheelchair two weeks ago and Claire says it has already made a ‘massive difference’ to him and the rest of the family.
“The chair has given Dylan his independence and much more freedom,” she explained.
“It’s a lot lighter and more stable so he can’t tip it.
“He can go where he wants now so we can step back, with the peace of mind that he is safe.”
Without childproof brakes, the old chair placed Dylan and Claire in some dangerous situations when he applied them crossing a road, but Claire says getting around is ‘a lot safer’ now.
Adam Dandy, owner of Dandy’s Topsoil, met up with the Edges at the Dee 106.3 studios to see Dylan and his new wheelchair in action on Tuesday (March 1).
“It was an absolute pleasure to help,” Adam said.
“Dylan is a little superstar. I could not imagine being stuck in a chair that did not work and was unsafe, and I could not imagine how Claire and Stuart must have felt seeing his needs not being met properly day in and day out.”
Claire added: “I cannot thank everybody who donated enough, even the small donations of just £2 and £5.
“Every single donation has made a massive difference to Dylan’s life and given him the freedom to explore his world.”
