A Stockport family is trying to help their four-year-old son ‘change his life’ — by fundraising for a power chair.
Samuel Grimes, from High Lane, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age one.
Having started school a matter of weeks ago, Samuel is now finding he is having trouble keeping up with his new friends, and older sister, due to how exhausted he is moving around on walking sticks.
He also enjoys ‘forest school’ with his classmates — but the muddy and wet terrain at Brookside Primary’s outdoor area makes it hard for him to get there.
Now, his parents — Alex Taylor and Phil Grimes — are fundraising for a power chair so he can ‘do everything’.
“He is just very, very tired,” mum Alex told the Manchester Evening News.
“We used to walk to school with my daughter, but we drive as Samuel cannot do that [anymore].
“[The chair] could let him do it. He could go to National Trust [sites] and the library. We would not have to worry as much about the terrain and hills.
“He’s an amazing lad.”
Alex, 40, added that having the chair would ‘really help’ the relationship between Samuel and older sister Elleanor, aged 7.
On the online fundraiser, the family said: “We have tried out a Tiny Trax power chair which is just amazing! No limits!
“It would change his life, he could join in with forest school activities easier, keep up with peers at school, run with his sister whilst outside and on walks and enjoy all terrains.
“It is an amazing piece of technology. The cost is £6,400.
“We have applied to charities and will self fund, and fundraise, to [pay] for his equipment to enable our son to live his best life!”
After just four days, Samuel is more than halfway to his £6,000 goal — and Alex had a message of thanks to those who have already donated, along with dad Phil, age 34.
“We are overwhelmed at the donations,” she said.
“It is just how nice people are. It is just so nice to bring people together.
“A big thank you from me and the whole family. We really appreciate it.”
