A family is asking for help to buy an all-terrain wheelchair for a teenager with a rare genetic condition.
Marcus Weston, from Richmond, was born with cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome.
The 14-year-old also has autism, hearing loss, congenital heart defects, poor vision, learning difficulties, speech delay, low muscle tone and hypertonia.
In recenbt years Marcus has raised thousands of pounds for charity, including BHF, The Sick Children’s Trust, Butterwick Hospice, Children in Need, Toilet Twinnin and The Great North Air Ambulance.
Last year he received a British Citizen Youth Award from the House of Lords for his fundraising efforts.
However, his parents say he now needs some help.
Mum Sam said: “We’d like to buy Marcus an all terrain wheelchair, perhaps with a motor, which would enable us to explore and expand Marcus’ horizons.
“We’d like to take him up and down hills, through forests, across fields, along beaches, sand dunes and right down to the water‘s edge.
“Most people take these experiences for granted but as Marcus gets bigger and older, it’s much more difficult to encourage him out if his comfort zone.
“We cannot carry him to the sea or across fields anymore and pushing a standard wheelchair anywhere other than a flat path is difficult.
“However, a specialised wheelchair would enable Marcus to fully experience both our local area of The Yorkshire Dales as well as to explore and travel further afield with the family.”
The family has launched an on-line appeal to raise £5,000.
More than £300 has already been donated in a few days.
For more details or to make a donation click here.
