A 22-year-old woman has set up a campaign to help raise £12,000 so her brother Lawson is able to get the wheelchair he needs to have more freedom.

Lawson was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when he was four years old.

His sister Rheann Chamberlain created the page on the 10th February on behalf of her family to allow her brother some independence while his body is still functioning.

Miss Chamberlain, of Manor Park, said: “He still has so much energy to burn and exploring to do, while he is still mobile.

“Time is quickly taking this away from him so now we are trying to give him the best chance of being independent.”

Lawson with his sister Rheann Chamberlain

The wheel chair they are trying to get is the Trekinetic GTE Wheelchair.

Miss Chamberlain said that this wheelchair will give Lawson the opportunity to speed, zoom and explore of his own accord.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare disease that gradually weakens the muscles within the body.

Duchenne’s is the most severe form which usually affects boys in early childhood and leaves them with a life expectancy of early 20s.

Miss Chamberlain said to the Sheffield Star: “He just wants to be a normal kid and have independence and freedom which at the moment, he hasn’t got.”

DMD usually causes children to lose their ability to walk between the ages of 8-12.

Slowly other muscle groups follow including arms, lungs and the heart.

As Lawson is eight years of age, the family are desperate to give him freedom before it is too late.

Miss Chamberlain told the Sheffield Star: “It might be this time next year when his legs do give way completely and he won’t be able to walk anymore.”

Lawson came out of hospital a fortnight ago after compression fractures on his spine, which is common in children with DMD.

This prompted the family to try and raise money to get him a wheelchair that not only gives him freedom but additional lumbar support.

If you would like to help out Lawson and his family you can donate on their Go-Fund-Me page: https://uk.gofundme.com/f/help-lawson-get-the-trekinetic-gte-wheelchair?qid=e4fe81dcc94c19168159b9acebbc5720