A FUND set up to buy an electric-powered wheelchair for a Westhoughton boy has over-shot its £3,000 target. Thanks to the efforts of local people, eight-year-old Thomas Partington is whizzing around in his new wheelchair just two months after the trust fund was launched by his parents Anne and John. Thomas's mother said the trust fund will be kept open and all contributions will go to Thomas for his future needs.

Mrs Partington, of Hazeldene, said the family recently had to buy a mobility vehicle but a hoist is needed to lift the wheelchair into the back. Some funds will be used for that and for maintenance, such as replacement tyres.

Mrs Partington said: "The fundraising has been absolutely amazing and people are still carrying on. Thomas has become quite well known and people often stop us when we're out." The youngster was diagnosed as having Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was five. He is now barely able to walk to the bottom of the drive. However he still loves to play outside with his friends, which his new wheelchair will enable him to do.

For the moment Thomas will keep his hand-propelled wheelchair, which he still needs for school, as there are difficulties in transporting the new wheelchair.

People all over the town have responded to the appeal and later this month, police officers from Westhoughton will hand over a cheque at a presentation evening, following a 129 miles sponsored bike ride from Leeds to Liverpool in September. A cheque presentation will also be made to Thomas on November 13 by staff at the Daisy Hill Hotel.

A charity dinner at Preston organised by Mr George Twist gave a huge boost to the appeal, and Mrs Partington's brother David Bradshaw raised about £1,000 by having his head shaved. The Mayor of Westhoughton Cllr Brian Clare raised more than £300 at a charity night and a coffee afternoon/evening held by Mrs Gwyneth Cleworth at her home at Chorley New Road, Bolton, raised more than £1,000.

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