A WIRRAL teenager with a rare bone condition will soon be able to regain his independence without support thanks to a donation from children's charity Newlife.

Nathan Mottrom, 13, from Rock Ferry will receive a mobility scooter from the charity courtesy of shopping giant Marks and Spencer.

He has many medical conditions including Klippel-Feil syndrome a skeletal disorder where the bones in his spinal column fuse together making his movements very restricted.

The rare condition has meant that Nathan has had to have metal rods inserted in his neck and is about to undergo his 24th operation.

With no funding available from local statutory services and the equipment costing £2,395 Nathan's family turned to Newlife for help. 

His mum Janet said: “Nathan is able to walk short distances, but he is in constant pain and is on a lot of medication. At school he gets very tired and sometimes has to take a break from lessons to recover.

"He has a manual wheelchair he can use, but he doesn’t have the strength to propel it himself so he then has to rely on others to push him around, which just isn’t practical for a boy his age.

“What he really needs is a mobility scooter so he can go where he wants, and help reduce the pain and tiredness.”

A partnership between Newlife and Marks and Spencer is now funding the essential equipment to help children across the UK.

In October 2010 Marks and Spencer launched a grants scheme which has helped fund more than 240 pieces of essential equipment for disabled children.

Community Programme Manager at Marks & Spencer Jacquie Leonard said: “Our partnership with Newlife is not only great for the environment but it also helps to improve the lives of disabled children by providing much-needed specialist equipment. We are delighted to be able to support such a vital charity.”