‘All-terrain’ wheelchair gives special needs kids more freedom (From South Wales Argus)

‘All-terrain’ wheelchair gives special needs kids more freedom

4:50pm Wednesday 5th May 2010 in Gwent news

CHILDREN with special needs who visit a Monmouthshire education centre have more activities open to them than ever before thanks to a new “all-terrain” wheelchair.

Craig Armiger, site co-ordinator at Gilwern Outdoor Education Centre, said the complete wheelchair would cost around £3,500, but they successfully obtained a £750 grant from Monmouthshire Building Society for a conversion kit to adapt the wheels of an ordinary chair, which was donated by the British Red Cross through Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny.

The more robust mode of transport will allow the children to take part in activities such as orienteering and climbing.

Mr Armiger said after a canoeing session, the groups usually head to the forest to toast marshmallows on a fire.

With an ordinary wheelchair, this was not possible, but the new chair is much easier to manoeuvre.

“We could lift the disabled children into a canoe but couldn’t get them to that site, but now we can take the new wheelchair anywhere we can push it,” Mr Armiger said.

The centre has a special ramp so users can take part in abseiling sessions whilst sitting in the chair.

Up to four schools a week visit the Monmouthshire site, including locally based special schools Maes Ebbw, Pen-y-Cwm and Crown Bridge.