Genting UK and the Chips Charity have united to present five-year-old Leah Weller, who suffers from Mitochondrial Disease, a new powered wheelchair.
The condition renders individuals too weak to walk or stand unaided meaning specialist powered wheelchairs are necessary for independent movement, with the donation received at Genting Casino Southampton.
Chips was founded on behalf of the UK gaming industry in order to raise funds to purchase specialised powered wheelchairs for youngsters with varying disabilities.
It strives to help children who would otherwise have no way of getting around, and provides wheelchairs that the NHS cannot or will not provide, and that the parents cannot afford to buy.
Linda Lindsay, Chips Charity co-founder, commented: “We have been working with Genting for a number of years and I want to thank them for all of their continued hard work and support. They have done an incredible job and helped to change many young lives across the UK for the better.”
The powered wheelchair was purchased with funds raised by employees at Genting UK who ran the Rock n Roll San Diego Marathon and Half Marathon in June 2018, with the five participants donating the whole of the £50,000 raised to the charity.
Jon Duffy, director of corporate assurance and regulatory affairs at Genting UK, explained: “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to present Leah with this brand-new chair and it is wonderful to know that it will have such a positive impact on her life.
“I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you Irene Nuqui and rest of the team for all the effort they have put into raising money for such a worthy charity.”
Claudia Weller, Leah’s mother, added: “Leah and I would like to say thank you to Genting UK, Chips Charity and the marathon runners for raising funds and presenting Leah with this new powered wheelchair.
“Having this wheelchair means so much to her. It offers her a level of comfort and additional features that will change her life for the better. She spends many hours in her chair, and it will give us all peace of mind knowing that she is more comfortable and independent. The impact that this will have on Leah’s life is huge and we are so grateful for everyone’s generosity.”
