This International Wheelchair Day (1st March 2025) Whizz Kidz is celebrating the incredible community of young wheelchair users who have hopes and dreams just as big as any other young people. To mark this special occasion, Whizz Kidz is thrilled to announce its BBC Radio 4 Appeal, championed by long-time ambassador Martin Dougan, to raise awareness and vital funds to support young wheelchair users across the UK.
This International Wheelchair Day, Whizz Kidz is shining a spotlight on young wheelchair users who, despite their challenges, are filled with ambition, determination, and the same dreams as their peers. However, many are held back simply because they don’t have access to the right wheelchair or support. An estimated 75,000 young people in the UK need a wheelchair to be mobile, yet many do not have access to a chair that fully meets their needs. Without the right wheelchair, young people can face social isolation, mental health challenges, physical pain, and limited independence. Whizz Kidz is committed to ensuring every young wheelchair user has access to the mobility and support they deserve.
Martin Dougan, a passionate advocate for mobility and independence, shares his personal journey for the appeal;
“I was 13 when my life changed. Born with cerebral palsy, I use a wheelchair to get around. I was young and disabled but not so different from anyone my age. What I struggled with was my heavy wheelchair from the NHS. It was extremely uncomfortable, and I could barely push it myself. One day, the charity Whizz Kidz visited my school and fitted me with a new lightweight chair. They taught me how to use it, get up kerbs, cross roads, and navigate my way in the world. It made a massive difference to my independence, which I still feel today. That’s why I’m so passionate about Whizz Kidz. It wants every young person who needs a wheelchair to get one suited to their needs, and it offers training and activities to build skills and confidence.”
Martin’s story is a testament to the life-changing work of Whizz Kidz, but he is just one of many young people whose lives have been transformed. Five-year-old Aniyah, a vibrant and chatty child, was born with spina bifida and struggled with an unsuitable wheelchair that limited her freedom at school and at home. She longed to move independently and play with her friends like any other child her age. Thanks to Whizz Kidz, she now has a pink and purple wheelchair that allows her to whizz around the playground, splash through puddles, and even reach the kitchen drawer where the chocolate is kept! Aniyah’s story highlights how the right wheelchair can bring not just mobility, but also confidence, joy, and newfound independence.
As the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, Whizz Kidz empowers young people by providing essential wheelchairs, equipment, training, and confidence-building experiences, while also campaigning for a more inclusive society. Our vision is a future where every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled, and included.
The upcoming BBC Radio 4 Appeal which airs on 2nd March 2025 is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness and much-needed funds to support young wheelchair users across the UK. Donations from the appeal will help provide life-changing mobility equipment, skills training, and opportunities for young people to live more independently and confidently.
Sarah Pugh, Chief Executive at Whizz Kidz said;
“International Wheelchair Day is a vital moment to celebrate the independence, resilience, and achievements of young wheelchair users. At Whizz Kidz, we are dedicated to ensuring that every young person has access to the right wheelchair and the opportunities they need to live life to the fullest. It’s amazing that, around this time, we will also be part of the BBC Radio 4 Appeal, helping to raise awareness of the challenges young wheelchair users face while generating vital funds to support them. Together, we can empower more young people to gain the mobility, confidence, and independence they deserve.”
Be a part of this change. Tune in to the BBC Radio 4 Appeal on 2nd March 2025, celebrate International Wheelchair Day with us, and help us transform the lives of young wheelchair users across the UK.
