Wigan teenager enjoys more freedom thanks to new high-tech wheelchair

A teenager with a love of the outdoors has been enjoying a new sense of freedom after receiving a new state-of-art wheelchair.
By Liam Soutar
Published 14th Dec 2020, 11:22 BST
Updated 18th Dec 2020, 10:32 BST
Thomas tests out his new wheelchair. Image courtesy of Tom Gradwell PhotographyThomas tests out his new wheelchair. Image courtesy of Tom Gradwell Photography
Thomas tests out his new wheelchair. Image courtesy of Tom Gradwell Photography

A teenager with a love of the outdoors has been enjoying a new sense of freedom, after receiving a new, state-of-art wheelchair.

Thomas Roberts has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The brother-of-three, from Haigh, was diagnosed with the disease aged two, and in just a few short years he has sadly lost the ability to walk and struggles to move his arms, making it impossible for him to enjoy his favourite hobbies such as motor sports.

Thomas tests out his new wheelchair. Image courtesy of Tom Gradwell PhotographyThomas tests out his new wheelchair. Image courtesy of Tom Gradwell Photography
Thomas tests out his new wheelchair. Image courtesy of Tom Gradwell Photography

Thomas and his family have organised and taken part in various fund-raisers over the years to raise money for Duchenne Now, a charity which seeks to find a cure for this cruel disease.

Family friends felt that he deserved to be on the receiving end of the generosity for once, and set up a fund-raiser to provide Thomas with a state-of-the-art wheelchair and, subsequently, much more freedom than he could previously

enjoy.

And last weekend, Thomas was presented with the Xtreme X8, an all-terrain, motorised wheelchair which is ideal for outdoor adventurers and explorers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Thomas tests out his new wheelchair. Image courtesy of Tom Gradwell PhotographyThomas tests out his new wheelchair. Image courtesy of Tom Gradwell Photography
Thomas tests out his new wheelchair. Image courtesy of Tom Gradwell Photography

More than £6,000 was raised through a Just Giving page, and Thomas’s former primary school, St Wilfrid’s Primary Academy in Standish, raised a further £2,500 after hearing about the campaign and organising several fund-raising events.

Thomas was eager to test out his new wheels and enjoyed a trip to Rivington Pike with his family, making his way to the very top and enjoying some stunning views, while the adults popped some corks and enjoyed a celebratory fizz to mark the day when Thomas regained some of his independence.

Local photographer Tom Gradwell and videographer Craig Morgan from Vivid Grooves Creative also generously gave up their time to document the day for Thomas and his family.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers.

Related topics:Wigan