Help Hayden to get an "off road" wheel Chair

My nephew, Hayden, is a fantastic 13-year-old boy. He also happens to have been born with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). It is a life-limiting illness that means that his muscles do not repair themselves.

He and his family work incredibly hard trying to keep his life as normal as possible. He recently passed his green belt at karate. An amazing achievement for someone of Hayden's age, living with DMD.

Last autumn, Hayden was all set to go on a scout's weekend. Kevin, his dad, had been working hard to modify his standard wheelchair so that he could follow on the same tracks and paths as all his friends. Kevin was due to go with Hayden to enjoy some father and son time. Unfortunately, Kevin collapsed with a ruptured brain aneurysm a few days before the trip. Family friends rallied round and managed to borrow a wheelchair, specially designed for just this type of trip. (https://www.mountaintrike.com/products/etrike).

It was a great relief to get Hayden on the trip with his mates while Kevin was in hospital, starting his long recovery.

An event like this made me realise how getting Hayden an off-road wheelchair would allow him to have greater freedom and independence. He could do more scout trips with Kevin in attendance.

So that is why a middle-aged man, 7 months after hip surgery, will be attempting to walk the length of the Thames Path. Just under 200 miles (185 miles of the path and then an extra few miles zig-zagging back from the pub each night ) in 14 days.

Thanks for reading this story and if you can donate, that would be amazing.