AN APPEAL has been launched to raise thousands of pounds so an 18-year-old from Droitwich can afford a specially adapted wheelchair which will help her move around without help.

Charlie-Marie French has cerebral palsy and sight problems and cannot speak or move without help as a result of being born prematurely.

The teenager recently underwent spinal surgery and a selective dorsal rhizotomy – a procedure to remove muscle stiffness – to help her use dynamic splints in her legs.

But without a specially adapted power-assisted wheelchair she is unable to properly use the splints and mix with her family and friends.

National charity Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children has contributed £650 towards the wheelchair and is appealing to people in Worcestershire to help raise the remaining £5,747.

Mum Ruth said: “The power assisted wheelchair will enable Charlie-Marie to use her leg splints and sit with her family.

“She has to do stretching exercises and at present can only do them in bed.

“After her major surgery the new wheelchair is paramount to her health needs so she can get the benefits of surgery.

“She needs to use splints as much as possible.”

The teenager is one of five people aged 18 or younger in Worcestershire who need specialist equipment worth almost £10,000 to help live as full a life as possible. Newlife, which has handed out £264,237 in grants and loans to 150 different families in the county, is appealing for generous donors to help it raise the cash for Miss French and other young people like her.

Although the NHS and local councils have some responsibility to provide specialist equipment, in some cases it is not able to do so and it is then that Newlife and similar charities step in.

For more information or donate to the fund visit newlifecharity.co.uk/Worcestershire, call 01543 431 444 or email local@newlifecharity.co.uk.