Lembit lends support to Whizz-Kidz in Wales (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Lembit lends support to Whizz-Kidz in Wales

April 8, 2009 10:59 AM

Lembit Öpik, Liberal Democrat MP for Montgomeryshire, recently lent his support to national mobility charity Whizz-Kidz - by signing up to be a champion for the charity and pledging to raise awareness of the needs of Welsh disabled youngsters.

Commenting, Mr Öpik said:

"It is clear that much more can be done to support young people who, for reasons associated with their lack of mobility, do not enjoy equality with their peers.

"I fully back Whizz-Kidz' work to ensure that young disabled people can get access to the right wheelchairs and equipment - and at a younger age, in order for them to participate fully in school and in their social lives."

Whizz-Kidz has supported over 100 young people in Wales through mobility equipment such as powered wheelchairs, and through training and work experience schemes - to raise the bar of aspirations and opportunities for disabled young people.

Ruth Owen, Whizz-Kidz Chief Executive, herself a wheelchair-user, said:

"We are very grateful for MPs like Mr Öpik for raising the awareness of young people across Wales - and the whole of the UK. There are around 70,000 young people that have an unmet mobility need- this is the challenge we face to ensure all children can lead active and full lives."

The right wheelchair and mobility equipment is not automatically provided on the NHS, and disabled young people have virtually no chance of getting a powered wheelchair.

Whizz-Kidz aims to joint-fund mobility equipment where possible with local NHS services, and aims to ensure that much-needed improvements are made in delivering wheelchair services for children in the UK.

Ends/diwedd

Notes to Editors:

For more information about Whizz-Kidz, please visit www.whizz-kidz.org.uk or contact Rob Dyson, PR Manager on 020 7798 6103 or r.dyson@whizz-kidz.org.uk.

Whizz-Kidz has changed the lives of over 7,500 disabled children since 1990 - often literally overnight. The charity supports young people to access the right mobility equipment, including powered wheelchairs, at the right time. Whizz-Kidz also delivers wheelchair skills-training and other life-skills to help their transition from childhood to adulthood.

There are still over 70,000 children in the UK who need our support. Find out more and help move a life forward visit: www.whizz-kidz.org.uk