For six-year-old Bradley, getting outside and joining in with his friends was not always easy.

Bradley has Spina Bifida and Congenital Hydrocephalus and relies on a wheelchair to help him get around. His previous wheelchair worked well on smooth surfaces, but struggled on grass, fields and uneven ground.

This meant Bradley could miss out when his friends were playing outside or taking part in activities such as forest school. Places that other children could explore easily were much harder for Bradley to access.

Bradley needed a wheelchair that could cope with different types of ground and give him more freedom to get involved.

A wheelchair made for the outdoors

With support from Yorkshire Children’s Charity, we were able to provide Bradley with an off-road wheelchair.

The new wheelchair means Bradley can move more easily across grass and uneven surfaces, giving him the opportunity to explore places that were previously difficult to reach.

He can now join his friends on outdoor adventures, take part in forest school and enjoy playing outside with greater independence.

For Bradley, it is about more than getting from A to B. Having the right equipment means he can be included in everyday experiences alongside other children and enjoy the freedom to explore.

Specialist wheelchairs can be expensive, and the right equipment is not always within reach for families. Our wheelchair grants help children and young people across Yorkshire access equipment that can make everyday life easier and help them take part.

Bradley’s new wheelchair is helping him do just that, giving him the freedom to get outside, join in and enjoy being a child.