Martin Cotterill

THE WPH CHARITABLE TRUST AWARDS £3,000 TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MARTIN

The WPH Charitable Trust has awarded £3,085 towards a new wheelchair for a Keresley man to help improve his quality of life.

This generous donation made up the remaining sum required for the purchase of a £6,835 wheelchair which has enabled Martin Cotterill to manoeuvre more easily inside his bungalow and to venture outdoors more.

It comes after two years of being trapped indoors for Martin, who has spina bifida and associated disabilities.

Once able to work and drive a car, he was forced to give up both due to progressively losing his strength and mobility.

The gradual decline in his strength made it very difficult to continue to operate the chair which was not robust enough to use outdoors or for any length of time.

Having been confined to his home for much of the previous year, his mental health started to suffer when Britain went into the lockdown last March. Already enduring a poor quality of life after lockdown, problems were compounded three months later when he suffered a stroke.

With the help of a friend Martin managed to raise £3,750 through various grants and upon learning of Martin’s plight WPH Trustees granted the remaining balance, enabling the purchase to go ahead.

He is now able to operate his wheelchair easily around his bungalow and is looking forward to venturing out further once restrictions allow. Days out with his family are top of the agenda!

Martin expressed his thanks to the WPH Charitable Trust. He said: “It’s given me my independence and hope for the future – it’s been a game changer.”