Help Catia get a life-changing electric wheelchair

Welcome to this fundraising page! My name is Maisie and on Sunday 31st March, I will be running the Kew Gardens Half Marathon to raise money for an electric wheelchair for my friend, Catia.

Catia is a remarkable woman who holds a Master’s degree from Kings College London in Addiction Studies and has just completed the first year of her PhD! Her work is dedicated to exploring and understanding the unique challenges faced by adolescents and young people living with neuromuscular diseases.

Catia’s condition

Catia has a neurodegenerative disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) which causes muscle weakness, resulting in limited movement in her arms and legs. This means that she requires specialised equipment, including a wheelchair, to assist with mobility. Catia’s current manual wheelchair limits her independence, causing her to rely solely on caregivers to keep up with many of the demands of everyday life (which, I want to add, I know she would say she is incredibly grateful for). An electric wheelchair would not only provide Catia with more freedom of movement, but it would also increase her overall comfort and alleviate some of the physical strain that she experiences daily.

The wheelchair

The wheelchair we are raising funds for isn’t simply an electric vehicle - it is agile, stable and most importantly, an empowering beast. For Catia, this means that regardless of the terrain or accessibility of the environment, she could face it by herself, without the need for a caregiver.

Your help

The cost of the new wheelchair is substantial, and we are reaching out to our wonderful network of friends, family and supporters to help make this crucial acquisition possible. The electric wheelchair is not just a means of mobility for Catia; it represents her independence and ability to continue her invaluable work.

How you can make a difference:

Your contribution can make a profound impact on Catia’s life. Here’s how you can help:

1. Financial support: Your generous donation will directly contribute to purchasing a high-quality electric wheelchair, tailored to Catia’s requirements.

2. Spread the Word: Share this page with friends, family and colleagues. The more people who are aware, the more potential for support and the greater the chance of achieving our goal.

Donors will receive updates on Catia’s life-changing journey ahead with an electric wheelchair through the impact of their contributions. I will also provide updates (for those that are interested) with regards to how I am doing throughout my training for the half marathon and on race day!

Finally, I believe that, as a collective, we can truly make a tangible impact. Your support is crucial towards building a more accessible and comfortable world for Catia.