A teenager's life could be transformed with a new power wheelchair - and you can help to get him this vital equipment.
Elijah Parsons, 13, who has spina bifida, loves being outdoors in the countryside and going to the beach but his current wheelchair does not give him easy access to such locations.
The youngster, who plays Powerchair football and basketball, could benefit from a new Trekinetic offroad power wheelchair through The Chronicle's Sunshine Fund.
Read More: Sunshine Fund launches appeal to provide life-changing equipment for children with disabilities
The charity has launched an appeal to provide life-changing equipment for children with disabilities. The campaign comes as demand soars for specialist equipment that families could previously get through the NHS or social service.
The Sunshine Fund has seen a significant rise in the number of applications and is urging generous members of the public to make a donation through the Urgent Equipment Appeal, so children like Elijah can receive the help they need.
A new power wheelchair for Elijah will cost around £13,843. His mum Jo Parsons, from Walkerville, Newcastle, says the youngster's current chair does not provide enough accessibility.
The 42-year-old physiotherapist added: "Elijah does have a wheelchair at the moment. It's a big bulky one that supports his posture and goes high up his back. He can't move around in it very well but he does need it to support his posture when sitting at a desk.
"At the moment, we are limited to the places we can go to. If we were to go out for a walk in Northumberland, I have to go and scope it out first to see what surface or path is good.
"The new chair will be an all-terrain one, which can be used outdoors, in places like countryside areas and on the beach.
"We like to go out and about together as a family and Elijah loves to walk our dog Ruby. But a lot of the paths in the countryside are not very accessible.
"The new chair will make the countryside and beaches accessible. It is the kind of chair that transfers from power chair to self-propelled, so he can use his arms to propel it himself.
"Elijah is quite independent and the equipment is important for him to have his independence."
Jo, who also has an 11-year-old daughter, Hannah, says the new chair would be life-changing for Elijah.
The Sunshine Fund is seeing increasing demands for such specialist equipment that would improve the quality of life for children across the North East.
Siobhan Sargeant, charity director, said: "The Sunshine Fund was established in 1928 and for almost 100 years we have supported disadvantaged children and their families throughout the North East.
"When we were established, our purpose was to make family life easier and to help families create precious memories together. However we now find ourselves as the North East main provider for specialist, bespoke and adapted equipment for children with terminal illness and complex needs, regularly funding high value items such as powered wheelchairs because they cannot be sourced elsewhere.
"Our equipment rounds grow in size and value each quarter and as a small charity we are struggling to keep up with this increased demand."
To help, you can make a donation to the Urgent Equipment Appeal online here. The website also has information about other ways to donate.
