Urgent appeal launched for wheelchair charity in 'national crisis'

Britain's leading charity for young wheelchair users has been forced to close its waiting list for specialist equipment for the first time in its 35-year history. Around 75,000 children and young adults need wheelchairs but those provided by the NHS can be too heavy to self-propel, unsuitable for outdoor use, or lack essential postural support.

Whizz Kidz provides specialist made-to-measure chairs costing on average £4,800. They grant users greater independence, improve mental health and reduce risk of injury. But with 1,000 people currently on the waiting list, the charity is unable to keep up with demand. It would take four years to clear the backlog at the current rate. Whizz Kidz chief executive Sarah Pugh described the situation as "a national crisis".

She said: "For the first time in our history, Whizz Kidz has had to close its waiting list. That means children who need a wheelchair today have nowhere to turn.

"Behind every statistic is a child missing school trips, missing playtime with friends, or living in pain. This cannot be acceptable in the UK in 2025.

"We urgently need the public's support to reopen the list - because childhood can't wait." The charity provides a range of equipment including manual and powered wheelchairs, trikes and buggies.

Its team of experienced occupational therapists, physiotherapists and engineers thoroughly assesses each young person to ensure their needs are met.

However, the charity has been impacted by rising inflation pushing up the cost of equipment. It fears that trade tariffs could impact prices even more.

Meanwhile, applications for Whizz Kidz wheelchairs are rising by an average of 12.5% every year. The rise was said to be fuelled by strain on NHS wheelchair services.

A survey of 626 people on the waiting list found 74% felt they were losing their independence due to being confided to their homes or reliant on others to move.

Some 69% felt they were missing out on friendships and school activities, while six in 10 were experiencing discomfort or pain.

Whizz Kidz, which supports young people aged 25 and under, has launched a "Childhood Can't Wait" appeal.

It aims to raise £750,000 to urgently reopen the waiting list and cut waiting times. In the longer term, the charity needs to raise £3.6 million over three years.

The appeal is supported by Scottish TV presenter and disability advocate Martin Dougan. He said: "The fact that children living in this country are struggling to get the equipment/support they need, is nothing short of embarrassing.

"A wheelchair isn't a toy or something for a child to simply play around in. A wheelchair symbolises freedom, hope, independence, equality, confidence and so much more.

"Every young person should be given the same basic rights, which will allow them to thrive and become the best version of themselves. A wheelchair is a basic right and this crisis needs to be stopped, right now."

• You can donate to Whizz Kidz here.

'Wren won't get another childhood'

Wren Steer has cerebral palsy and desperately needs a lightweight manual wheelchair to help hold on to her independence. The 11-year-old, who is the youngest of three siblings, uses a powered chair provided by the charity at school.

But at home, she relies on manual wheelchair provided by the NHS that she is unable to self-propel. As she grows, her mum Anna is finding it harder to push her around, making trips out of the house increasingly difficult.

Anna said: "I just want to make sure that Wren's world doesn't get smaller as she gets heavier.

"She doesn't get another childhood. This is why we've got to do our very best in terms of health outcomes but for her having fun and having a childhood and keeping options open for her for whatever she wants to do.

"Equipment can really open the door for that. The longer we wait, the more it feels like we missed out on. Those little precious golden moments can be few and far between for someone like Wren."

A better chair would grant Wren greater freedom and mean the difference being able to reach a light switch or grab a chocolate bar herself and having to wait for someone to help her. Anna added: "She can't really get anywhere on her own.

"She's probably bored a lot of the time. Imagine how frustrating that must be. She's very tolerant, but it has an impact on her mental health - and on all of us."