THE parents of a nine-year-old boy from Newbury are attempting to raise money to buy a bespoke sports wheelchair that will enable their son to continue playing football.

Cameron Smith, who has spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive muscle wasting condition that has left him a permanent wheelchair user, started playing wheelchair football a year ago.

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Since joining Reading Powerchair Football Club, the Speenhamland Primary School pupil has made a number of new friends amongst his teammates and his mother, Charlotte, aged 31, says playing the sport has been instrumental in giving her son more confidence and a sense of independence.

She said: “The club is only about 30 minutes away from home and Cameron really looks forward to meeting up with his new pals to train.

“He loves scoring goals and he gets really excited when he goes really fast in the powerchair.

“Unfortunately, he has to borrow spare club wheelchairs to play and this puts him at a real disadvantage to the other players.

“Because the chairs don’t fit him properly he’s not as mobile on the pitch as the other players, which can be frustrating.

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“Not only that because they are not fitted for his body shape and weight they can be uncomfortable and painful.”

Cameron, a Manchester United fan, trains regularly with the club but he really wants to progress in the sport and dreams of being selected for the team.

“Until he gets a bespoke powered wheelchair it’s going to be difficult for him to develop,” said his father Steven.

Charlotte and Steven found that a DB Bullet Football chair would be ideal for Cameron, but is beyond their budget costing £6,000.

However, thanks to fundraising support from Caudwell Children, the national charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families, Cameron and his parents have started a campaign to help them raise the money needed for a new sports wheelchair.

Having received a grant from The Edward Gostling Foundation (EGF), formed in 1994 to give people with a physical or mental disability the same quality of life opportunities as others, Caudwell Children is now be able to match fund specialist sports equipment for aspiring athletes for the next five years.

Charlotte explained Caudwell Children has set up a Just Giving page but they want to appeal to the public and business community for help.

Mark Bushell, from Caudwell Children, hopes people will get behind Cameron’s appeal. He said: “He’d love to play for the Reading team, who play to a good standard in the South East Regional League.

“Every child and young person should have the right to participate in sport whatever their ability, as it’s so good for both physical fitness and mental wellbeing.

“Cameron has made many friends though playing the game and it’s had a massive impact on his confidence and independence.

“I’m urging the public and business community to get behind this appeal. With their support we can ensure that Cameron has the best chance of developing in the game.”

You can support Cameron through his Just Giving page here: www.justgiving.com/chair4cameronsmith.