Our good friend Nettie was born with a tumour and originally given just a few years to live. The size and weight of the tumour caused her spine to twist and organs to be displaced. Despite a poor prognosis, unable to walk, and having to use a wheelchair since a toddler, she did well at school, and became involved in disabiltiy sports participating at national level for under 16’s. After leaving school and college, she married, held down a full time job in an office, whilst running a home and raising her children.

Having had to rely solely on her arms and shoulders to get her about, in her late thrities she began to experience pain and injury through overuse, including rotator cuff tears and tendon impingement issues; and began to need a powered wheelchair when she ventured outdoors. For the past few years she has had to use a heavier, six wheeled, motorised wheelchair when outside. Although she appreciates this, she misses the freedom of getting about under her own steam. This chair severely limits access to her friend’s homes, to shops, restaurants, public buildings etc because it cannot climb steps above 2cm, cannot get over upvc door thresholds, and is far too heavy for friends to lift over. It can’t fit into standard car boots, is too bulky to fit in many accessible taxis, train or bus compartments reserved for wheelchairs. This makes travel by public transport extremely difficult. And when her adapted van is off the road, needing servicing, or repairs to the specialist modifications, she is completely housebound.

However, recent advances in technology mean that with a pair of Alber Twion power assist wheels she would once more be able to experience the freedom of using a manual chair but have the effort taken out of pushing herself through the power assistance located in the hubs. This will minimise the pain and stress on her arms and shoulder joints. The wheels can fit on any standard wheelchair, have a battery range of around 12 miles, and are light enough for her to ‘wheelie’ up and down steps as she used to. In her own words, ‘It would be like turning back the clock fifteen years!’

The wheels are expensive, costing over £4300. I would love to raise enough to purchase a pair of Twions and watch my friend freewheeling through life once more!

So, I pledge to wear a kilt whilst window cleaning for a whole year, whatever the weather throws at me! You can help me by donating - even just £1 would make a huge difference. I will be posting updates and photographs as I battle the Scottish elements to keep the windows of Aberdeenshire sparkling!

Any funds raised above and beyond the target will be donated to Spinal Injuries, Scotland..