Life-changing equipment for those who need it most
Monday 18 January 2010
Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Tesco staff over the past ten months, the Muscular Dystrophy 
Campaign has been able to provide over £420,000 worth of life-changing specialist equipment to 91 children with muscle-wasting diseases across the country.
This astonishing total will continue to grow and move us ever nearer to our £3 million fundraising target, meaning that we are able to improve the lives of 500 more children and young people.
Here are just a few examples of the incredible impact that your fundraising has had so far in every region of the UK.
Thirteen-year-old Zak Hughes (pictured) had been on an NHS waiting list for a powered wheelchair since January 2008. Now, thanks to Tesco staff in Devon, Zak has finally received the funding for a new £9,000 wheelchair.
Ryan Beattie, 16, from Middlesbrough picked up a new laptop worth £588 that will help him to complete his college photography course. The computer is specially adapted to Ryan's needs with speech recognition software and dedicated packages for his studies.
Fifteen-year-old Jacob Thomas from Narberth in Dyfed has a vital new addition to his wheelchair thanks to local Tesco staff. Jacob's new mobile arm support is a simple piece of equipment that greatly increases his independence. A metal rod attaches to the back of his chair and supports his arm in a sling, providing him with the strength to feed himself, turn the pages of a book and brush his hair.
Powered wheelchairs are vital pieces of equipment that have an immense physical and psychological impact on the lives of young people. As well as increasing his mobility, Michael Peartse's new £8,400 chair includes extra features to improve his life. The chair tilts back so Michael can lie horizontally, allowing him to stretch out, relieve pressure and exercise his muscles. The chair also rises vertically so Michael is at eye level with his peers, helping his self-confidence.