Aylesbury's Evie Foster showcases her 'wacky wheelchair design' as part of a Stoke Mandeville charity competition

Nine-year-old, Evie Foster, from Aylesbury, has really boxed clever with her wacky wheelchair design as part of a fun schools’ challenge organised by Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research

(SMSR), by using empty cardboard boxes leftover from her mum’s Amazon online shopping deliveries in lockdown!

The ‘Design a Wheelchair with the WOW Factor’ competition, launched by the Stoke Mandeville Hospital-based charity, is encouraging Primary and Secondary schools and pupils to get designing a wheelchair of the future, using cardboard, paper mache, Lego or recyclable materials.

SMSR Fundraising Manager, Charlotte Minoprio, commented: “We’re really hoping children who have either been stuck at home since lockdown or are now back at school will want to take part in this fun challenge.

"It’s a chance to use their imagination and show off their creative flair by using whatever materials they like for their designs, and will also give them an insight into what life is like for someone who has to use a wheelchair every day.”

Two winners will each receiving a £50 voucher for WHSmith sponsored by Aylesbury estate agent George David. In addition, each winner’s school will be offered a free interactive disability awareness assembly with an SMSR Ambassador.

To enter the competition, please visit https://www.lifeafterparalysis.com/event/wheelchair-with-wow. £3 donation to Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research per entry.

Then simply take a picture of your design and send your photo and a short explanation about your wheelchair to [email protected]. Entries must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 8 th July.

Money raised will fund vital research to improve the quality of life for people living with spinal cord injury.

All competition entries will be posted on the SMSR Facebook page @lifeafterpara