Washington boy will have a ball with new hi-tech chair

Nine-year-old Umar Hanif, from Washington, has been give the new wheelchair to help him get about thanks to customers and staff of Cashino adult gaming centre in Victoria Place, Concord.

Umar, who lives with parents, Nazia and Hanif, and sister Ravia, suffers from Muscular Dystrophy, a rare and hereditary muscle-wasting condition.

He had been using a manual wheelchair, and although he can take short steps around his home, he finds walking difficult.

Umar enjoys playing powerchair football, so his wheelchair has been specially adapted with a removable bar on the front to “kick” a football around, which means he can continue to play for his team, Middlesbrough Powerchair Football Club.

The shop’s efforts have been supported by Chips, the charity of the casino and gaming industry, which provides specialised powered wheelchairs for children with mobility problems.

Nazia said: “We are very grateful to Cashino and Chips charity for the powerchair, it is going to make a tremendous difference to Umar’s football.

“Because it is specially made for him, he will be able to control the ball better and defend and strike really well.”

Colin Johnston, Cashino’s area manager, added: “Umar is an extraordinary young man and is so deserving of this wheelchair.

“It is absolutely fantastic to see how much happiness it has brought to him and his mother, and it makes all the fundraising efforts from all of our staff and customers throughout our estate certainly worth it.”