YOUNG CONNOR HILL, of Runcorn, is just one of over 120 severely disabled children and young people who have had their lives transformed by powered wheelchairs and other specialist mobility equipment thanks to the region’s biggest funder, The Morgan Foundation, working in partnership with Children Today.

Entrepreneur Steve Morgan OBE, founder of The Morgan Foundation, founder and chairman of Redrow plc, chairman of the Bridgemere Group of companies and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, will officially handover the specially adapted Typhoon II Power Assisted Wheelchair to Connor in Runcorn on Monday 11 March at 2pm.

Nearly £350,000 was raised at last year’s star-studded Morgan Foundation charity golf day and auction, sponsored by UK housebuilder Redrow, to benefit local disabled children. Steve Morgan said: “Having a mobility aid means disabled children can feel a fraction of the sense of freedom most of us take for granted. Each piece of equipment costs between £1,500 and £16,000 – with many of the wheelchairs costing more than the average family car – and the cost is not covered by the NHS. Everyone who took part in our golf day or attended the gala dinner has helped to make a real difference.”

Also in attendance on 11th March will be Alan Dodd, Chief Executive of Children Today who expressed his gratitude to The Morgan Foundation for making a difference to so many lives: “Without doubt, the unrivalled support from The Morgan Foundation has had a profound impact on the many, many disabled children and young people living within The Morgan Foundation’s area of benefit, who have benefitted from the provision of specialised equipment that is so very vital to their on-going development.”

Connor Hill has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - the most common form of muscular dystrophy which affects mainly boys and prevents the body from producing dystrophin — a protein that helps protect muscles.

Without it, muscle fibres start to break down and are replaced by fibrous and fatty tissue, causing the muscle to weaken. The pelvis and legs are usually affected first, causing difficulty walking. By eight to 11, most sufferers are confined to a wheelchair.

Thanks to his wheelchair, Connor’s life has already been turned around. He has been able to move into his own flat and has secured a work placement at another Morgan Foundation supported charity, NMC Design & Print in Winsford. He is also able to attend the many hospital appointments required to help manage his condition and make trips to Claire House on the Wirral to take advantage of their respite facility. “From the very beginning I think one of the most exciting things having this chair has enabled me to do, is to become an individual and become empowered. I am able to live just like anyone else in the community. Thank you!”

If you would like to attend the presentation in Runcorn on Monday 11th March at 2pm please contact Jane Harris on 01829 782800 for further details.

Photographs will be available after the event – if you would like to receive one for your publication please email us at: admin@morganfoundation.co.uk