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Whizz-Kidz is the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users and transforms the lives of disabled children by providing specialist, tailored wheelchairs, and crucial training and support—helping young disabled people on their journey to confidence, aspiration and independence.

All young people face challenges. But at Whizz-Kidz know that for a young wheelchair user, society can be that bit more challenging to navigate. Many barriers prevent them from enjoying fun, active childhoods, accessing social and educational opportunities and, ultimately building the bright futures they deserve. Whizz-Kidz exist to ensure that young disabled people get the right wheelchair and recreational mobility equipment as well as the training and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

Recently, all of us have been forced to isolate and the whole world has been confronted with a different life; one without access to transport, shops and restaurants, bars and cinemas. Being blocked from going where you want, and doing what you like, is a normal, daily occurrence for young wheelchair users. The end to their isolation and route to their personal freedom won't come when this current crisis is over.

But getting the right wheelchair at the right time can and does makes a huge difference to children's lives- here, now, today and tomorrow. It gives them the freedom and fun they deserve.

I’m honoured to be supporting this appeal for Whizz-Kidz, a UK wide charity, helping young wheelchair users for thirty years.

We have all experienced the frustration of having our freedom of movement taken away from us – now is the time to give that same freedom to young wheelchair users.

McKenzie is a confident boy, who loves swimming, wheelchair tennis and rugby, playing with friends and going to school. McKenzie was born with Spina Bifida, meaning he can only walk short distances.

McKenzie has relied on a wheelchair since he was five when he was given a heavy standard wheelchair which he found difficult to move. All he wanted was to do things on his own without needing help.

After contacting Whizz-Kidz, McKenzie met a Whizz-Kidz Therapist, who fitted him for a new lightweight wheelchair. He was involved in the whole process and even chose the colour.

His new wheelchair was light, fast and easy to control. He went whizzing off straight away! It was an emotional moment for the family - he finally had a wheelchair that gave him the confidence and freedom he craved.

Millie-Rose has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome causing her chronic pain and frequent joint dislocation. As a result, she often relies on a wheelchair.

Millie-Rose was given a ‘big, wide, heavy, clunky and uncomfortable’ standard manual wheelchair. She wasn’t able to push herself and her shoulders and elbows would dislocate when she used it. It limited her independence and impacted her confidence. She frequently had to miss school due to the pain and discomfort she experienced.

Whizz-Kidz provided Millie-Rose with a lightweight manual wheelchair, with e-motion wheels which kick-in with extra power when needed, ensuring no unnecessary strain is put on her joints, whilst maintaining her independence and ability to self-propel.

She also chose the colour to match her strong sense of style. Her wheelchair gave her the confidence to travel abroad independently, go onto study at university, and join Whizz-Kidz’s Kidz Board to be a role model for other young wheelchair users.

Flo has an undiagnosed condition which makes the muscles in her arms, legs and core weak. 

When Flo was small, her parents pushed her in a buggy. But when she outgrew the buggy she ended up exhausted, couldn’t keep up with her friends and found it harder to concentrate at school. Flo loved Brownies and swimming, but she became so worn out she had no energy to do anything after school. She became increasingly isolated. 

Flo’s mum tried to secure a powered wheelchair but because Flo could walk short distances at home she didn’t meet the criteria.

Thankfully Whizz-Kidz arranged for Flo to come to a Mobility Clinic and on the same day, Flo left with a powered wheelchair. 

Now, Flo can play with her friends in the playground, enjoys trips in the park with her family, and best of all, can hold her Mum’s hand while pushing herself independently.