Last updated at 12:00, Sunday, 20 January 2013

FUNDRAISING efforts have finally paid off for a youngster with a debilitating illness.

BOOST: Taylor Henderson with his new wheelchair MILTON HAWORTH REF: 50043292B001

Taylor Henderson has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a chronic illness causing progressive muscle weakness.

The 12-year-old, from Abbey Road, Barrow, needed a new wheelchair to help him play with his brother and gain some independence.

Last June, a team of 13 staff and students from Furness College cycled to Edinburgh to raise money for the Taylor Henderson Wheelchair Fund.

His chair has now finally arrived – and given the youngster a new lease of life.

The group – dubbed the Furness Expandables – averaged 75 miles a day over three days to raise £2,728, smashing their £2,000 target.

Taylor’s mum, Julie Henderson, said: “The chair he had before couldn’t go up ramps and wasn’t much good outside.

“This one is off-road and can go up and down kerbs, it’s completely changed his life.

“Because his illness is degenerative it means his needs change quite often so it’s great that he can go out now.”

At the time of the ride, Furness College lecturer David Pucknell said a core group of riders from the college undertook a ride for charity every year.

The money raised by the Expandables was added to funding provided by children’s charity Cauldwell Children for the new chair which, Mrs Henderson says, costs around £16,000.

The Stoke-based charity provides family support services, equipment, treatment and therapies for disabled children and their families across the UK.

The Furness Expandables team comprised Mr Pucknell, Jim Rawnsley, Tim Wilkes, Kevin Thomas, Ian Clark, John Grant, Sandra Crease, Nicole Simpson, Gordon Shaw, Tom Gillet, Alan Connolly, Paula Eddy, Gareth Cattershall and John Smith.

Mrs Henderson said: “We just want to say a big thank you to Furness College, Cauldwell Children and Walney Carnival, as well as anyone else who donated.

“It means the world to Taylor.”

First published at 10:04, Monday, 21 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk