A local fundraiser has completed a sky dive which has smashed a target to get enough money for a wheelchair for her nephew.
Emma Bennett decided to take part in a number of activities to take her into her 50th year, and get enough money for 4 year old Alex who was recently diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a life-limiting disease for which there is no cure. The condition causes progressive muscle weakness, but only affects boys.
However, the specialist equipment - an all-terrain wheelchair - was costed out at starting from £6,000. Having joined Paul Stacey on-air back in February 2024, Emma contacted Erewash Sound again recently, overjoyed to announce that she had completed the jump and had already raised the necessary amount.
Emma previously described Alex as "full of character, has the most infectious smile, he's curious, inquisitive, mischievous some may say (naughty ), funny and very stubborn." She added: "Alex would benefit from an All-terrain Wheelchair to enable him to join in all the activities with family and friends, and go off-roading!"
As of mid-August, the Go-Fund me page had reached almost £7,000, allowing the purchase of Alex's new wheelchair.
Her other activities planned for 2025 include completing the Belper Rover, climbing Mount Snowdown, careering down the Velocity Zip Wire in an old slate quarry in North Wales and she is also planning a 100km London to Brighton cycle ride through the night to raise additional funds for the Duchenne charity.
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