Looking for charities that help fund electric standing wheelchairs 🦽🙏

Queen_K
Queen_K Online Community Member Posts: 259 Empowering
edited May 24 in Everyday life

Hi everyone 👋

I’m hoping someone here might be able to point me in the right direction.

I’m looking for charities or organisations that support disabled adults with funding for electric standing wheelchairs. I know there are some out there – but it’s tricky to know which are still active or accepting applications in 2025.

I was diagnosed with Alexander’s Leukodystrophy as a baby and have used a wheelchair for most of my life. I’m 30 now – I was given a life expectancy of just 15 years, so I’ve already beaten the odds. 💪

At age 12, I was lucky enough to get a Permobil standing wheelchair, which allowed me to do things like cook, reach shelves, and even stand to give a speech at my sister’s wedding. But after many years of use, it’s now breaking down and the standing function no longer works. It’s having a big impact on my independence.

I’m currently fundraising for a replacement (the Permobil F5 VS), and while I’ve set up a GoFundMe to help cover the cost, I’m not asking for donations here – I’m really just hoping someone in this community knows of grants, charities, or schemes that help fund this kind of essential equipment.

[Removed by moderator - crowdfunding is against our house rules]

Any leads, advice, or even personal experiences would mean the world to me 🙏

Thank you so much 💙

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Comments

  • mix_dage
    mix_dage Online Community Member Posts: 82 Empowering
    edited May 24

    Hi @Queen_K

    hopefully this link can help

    https://geniestandingwheelchair.co.uk/funding/
  • Queen_K
    Queen_K Online Community Member Posts: 259 Empowering

    Thank you,

    I will look into it

  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,772 Cerebral Palsy Network

    Hi @Queen_K

    The Hospital Saturday Fund is a charitable organisation that can provide grants for those with immediate health needs. 

    Grants are provided for things such as specialised mobility equipment and therapeutic treatments, including physiotherapy. 

    You can apply for a grant by clicking here https://www.hospitalsaturdayfund.org/  

  • egister
    egister Posts: 1,070 Pioneering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/134920/looking-for-charities-that-help-fund-electric-standing-wheelchairs

    Perhaps it is possible to make copies of the broken parts and use them to repair the wheelchair?

  • Queen_K
    Queen_K Online Community Member Posts: 259 Empowering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1031686#Comment_1031686

    I don't think I would repair it. But thank you though

  • egister
    egister Posts: 1,070 Pioneering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1031800#Comment_1031800

    If the problem is not electronic, then a car (or Motorbike) service and repair centre will most likely be able to help you. Have you tried to determine what exactly is broken in your wheelchair? I haven't seen it, but most likely the lifting mechanism is similar to the mechanisms for adjusting chairs in cars.

  • Queen_K
    Queen_K Online Community Member Posts: 259 Empowering

    Thanks for everyone's guidance.

  • Queen_K
    Queen_K Online Community Member Posts: 259 Empowering
    edited June 15

    Dear Scope Team,

    I hope this message finds you well.

    My name is Kierin [removed by moderator - personal information], and I’m reaching out to see if Scope might be able to help fund part of an ex-demo Permobil F5 VS standing powerchair that I urgently need.

    I was diagnosed with Alexander’s Leukodystrophy at 17 months old and have defied the odds ever since. I use an electric wheelchair daily, but my current one (a C500 Permobil) is over a decade old and has broken down to the point that it no longer stands — something I used to rely on for essential independence in daily tasks like cooking and personal care. I’ve launched a GoFundMe to raise £20,822, and so far, I’ve raised £4,247. [removed by moderator - crowdfunding]

    Recently, I found an ex-demo version of the same model for a reduced price, which could make this dream more achievable if I can secure further support. Would Scope consider contributing toward this vital piece of equipment, or possibly signpost me to any relevant grants or schemes you offer?

    Thank you so much for your time and everything Scope does to support disabled people across the UK. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Warm regards,
    Kierin
    📧 [removed by moderator - personal information]

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 5,939 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    Hi @Queen_K, It's amazing that you've managed to raise so much so far, well done on your fundraising. I've edited your post to remove some personal information just to keep you safe and unfortunately we're not able to post crowdfunding links on the community either. I really hope you meet your goal though!

    If none of the links that other members have posted above have come up with anything, you could try searching for grants on the Turn2Us grantfinder:

    Turn2us Grants Search

    Sorry I couldn't be more helpful at this stage. I will check with the team but as far as I'm aware, Scope aren't able to fund equipment or provide grants. However we wish you all the best and I really hope you're able to raise the funds for your perfect powerchair soon ☺️

  • Queen_K
    Queen_K Online Community Member Posts: 259 Empowering

    I've tried Turn to us. I don't think they can help

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