GENEROUS donations have given a young boy the guarantee of independence, funding a powered wheelchair for his use.

Harry Barnley, aged ten from Farnham, has a rare degenerative disability called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

Diagnosed in 2013, Harry’s disorder is “characterised by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness” which means his mobility has become increasingly limited.

His family had worked to raise more than £250,000 for research into a cure by charity Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK), but funds are now being split 50-50 to help Harry’s condition.

With walking and wheelchair self-propulsion becoming more challenging and falls increasing, the family looked for a “powered solutuion” – this led to ownership of a pioneering WHILL Model M from TGA Living in Farnham.

The WHILL Model M is a Japanese-built, futuristic powered wheelchair designed by ex-automotive and technology specialists.

Available exclusively through TGA in the UK, this contemporary and stylish product is unlike any other powerchair.

Tom Barnley, Harry’s father, discovered the WHILL M during research online.

He was seeking something different for his son and found that it was at the TGA Living showroom in Farnham.

Tom said: “Harry wanted something that was not a stereotypical powered wheelchair. Basically something cool yet less conspicuous.

“Harry took it for test drives and really liked it, he said the powered seat slide would be really useful for sitting under school desks. He equated it to a cool spaceship.

In the lead up to Harry joining secondary school, Tom described how it was very important to find a quick solution: “Harry’s limited mobility at junior school hadn’t been too much of an issue as lessons where all in the same room.

“However, the prospect of secondary school was completely different, hence a WHILL would be vital.

“We decided to use some of Harry’s welfare donations to pay for the chair and it is already making a difference; only on an ad hoc basis currently, as we continue to encourage walking, however we all know Harry will be dependent on it full time in the not too distant future.”

The major feature which benefits Harry is its manoeuvrability especially at school and home.

Tom said: “I’ve never seen a powerchair without traditional castors which means the WHILL can turn on itself in the smallest of spaces.

“His spatial awareness is fantastic and the way he precisely weaved in between so many people was really impressive.”

Thanks to the WHILL M, trips to London will be easier as it is compatible with rail travel and Harry’s ability to “move around on his own terms and not be pushed in a wheelchair will enhance his positive attitude even further whilst maintaining self-esteem”.

Tom concluded: “Harry will always give everything a go. There is nothing he will not try. His condition doesn’t hold him back from an attitude point.

“It’s beyond me how he copes with his condition and the future, he just takes it in his stride.

“From helping me with home improvements such as drilling and floor laying, to playing the Xbox with his brother, he gives everything 100 per cent.

“This energy will be empowered by the WHILL from TGA, he loves it and it is his safety net.”