Thanks to CHIPS Charity and the joint fundraising efforts of customers and staff at Cashino Lowestoft in Suffolk, 11-year-old Cody Bracewell has been presented with a brand new powered wheelchair, which will increase his mobility, allowing him to take part in more outdoor activities independently with his friends.
Cashino, which operates 168 adult gaming centres across the country, is one of the main fundraisers for CHIPS, a charity set up on behalf of the casino and gaming industry, which provides specialised wheelchairs for children with severe mobility problems.
Cody, who lives in Gorleston, Great Yarmouth with his mum and dad, Tracey & Scott, suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – a disorder that affects his sleeping pattern and causes poor memory, concentration, muscle pain and a decreased range of movement.
Cody’s mum, Michelle, said: “Due to his condition, Cody has very limited mobility from to the pain and fatigue he suffers. His balance and coordination are also severely affected because of this. Not only will this wheelchair allow him to spend more time with his current friends, and hopefully expand his social circle, it’ll give him the independence any 11-year-old boy craves. We’re so thankful to Cashino and CHIPS for this wheelchair.”
Cashino Lowestoft venue manager, Ben, said: “It’s such a proud moment to know that our fundraising efforts are going to make such a huge difference to Cody and his family’s life. He’s such a lovely, friendly and intelligent boy who thoroughly deserves this powered wheelchair.”
One of the co-founders of CHIPS charity Linda Lindsay said: “It is so important for CHIPS that our donors see the results of their hard work, and we try to ensure that all the recipients are local to where the funds have been raised. Cashino and parent company Praesepe have been amazing, and have donated £1.2 million allowing CHIPS to provide more than 150 wheelchairs up and down the country.”
In total CHIPS has raised more than £2.2 million to date and presented over 520 wheelchairs to children throughout the UK.
