A DROITWICH Spa boy that suffers with an incurable muscle wasting condition has been given more independence thanks to a kind donation.

Disabled children’s charity Newlife Foundation and Marks & Spencer have presented new arm supports to 14-year-old Murray Field, from King George Avenue, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The brave youngster’s condition means that he is dependent on a hoist and wheelchair to move around.

His illness is now beginning to affect his shoulders and arms, so he finds it difficult to hold things and compensates by placing weight on his elbows.

The new arm supports will help support Murray’s weak shoulder muscles, encouraging his independence by allowing him to carry out everyday tasks such as eating, drinking and cleaning his teeth. The supports will also help him to play his keyboard and continue his favourite hobby of model making.

Newlife is the UK’s leading children’s disability charity that works closely with families to provide a range of services and essential equipment for children with disabilities and life-limiting conditions across the UK.

M&S has worked in partnership with the Newlife charity for the last seven years to recycle returned products. Newlife sells the majority of the donated products in the Newlife Superstore in Cannock and recycles the remaining items to raise money for disabled children.

Since the M&S grants scheme was launched in October 2010, it has helped to specifically fund 105 pieces of essential equipment totalling more than £300,000 for disabled children across the UK, with the partnership helping hundreds more since 2004.

Murray’s dad, Mark Field, said: “Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a very aggressive muscle wasting condition, and, as a result, there will come a time when he won’t be able to use his arms at all; Murray will be completely dependent on either the family or carers.

“The arm supports will allow Murray to continue his independence for much longer, doing all those things that the rest of us take for granted; like cooking, which he loves, using his computer and his hobby of making models. It will make a massive difference to someone so young.”

He added: “It will also enable Murray to continue to play an active role in daily life at Chadsgrove School and Specialist Sports College in Bromsgrove, where he is a pupil.”

Sheila Brown OBE, chief executive of Newlife Foundation, said: “Our partnership with M&S benefits hundreds of children and their families. It is very encouraging to see the efforts of M&S in helping to improve the lives of disabled and terminally ill children within the local community and across the UK. Equipment that costs from hundreds to several thousands of pounds really can revolutionise lives.”