A DORSET family say a simple piece of specialised equipment is all that stands between them and fun days out together.

The Jackson family have applied to leading UK children’s disability charity Newlife Foundation for help in getting a portable hoist for 15-year-old Akira.

Akira has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, hip dislocation and curvature of the spine.

He needs to be hoisted for all transfers in and out of his wheelchair, which means the Jacksons can never go out for more than three or four hours at a time because they have to get Akira back home, where they have a ceiling track hoist, so he can use the toilet.

The local authority has provided the ceiling track hoist for the family in their Dorset home, but are unable to offer a portable alternative as well.

Dad Matt said: “I have a couple of slipped discs from carrying Akira over the years and my wife, who is about to have a baby, just isn’t strong enough to safely lift Akira.

“His condition means we have to be very careful when we are handling him, so a hoist is the only safe solution – for everyone.”

He added: “We need a portable hoist to take out and about with us, so we can all go out together as a family for more than a few short hours. Not only will it give Akira an improved quality of life, but will make a real difference to our other children too. Nobody thinks about the effects these limitations have on them.”

Akira has a two-year-old sister and two stepsiblings who visit regularly.

Newlife has funded 71 equipment grants totalling £112,639 for disabled and terminally ill children in Dorset.

But Newlife said they are seeing a surge in demand for its range of equipment and so they are appealing for ‘local heroes’ to donate or fundraise to help disabled children in their own counties.

Newlife CEO Sheila Brown said: “Newlife guarantees that 100 per cent of all monies donated or fundraised in Dorset will be used to provide specialist equipment for children in Dorset.

“That could be anything from a specialist wheelchair, bed or seating to a stair climber, standing or walking frame.”

To help the Jackson family call 0800 9884640 or email fundraise@ newlifecharity.co.uk Newlife has said that any money donated surplus to requirements for Akira will be used to provide equipment for another child in the county.