A YOUNG man has been granted a new lease of life, after a state-of-the-art chair was bought with donations from the Tadley community.

Paul Button, 28, who suffers from Down’s Syndrome and additional complex disabilities, was delighted to receive the £13,000 chair.

His mother Sue Button described how the wheelchair had given her son the power to take control.

Mrs Button said: “Paul is so happy with his new wheelchair. We would like to thank everyone who helped. It is a wonderful gift because it will give him mobility and choice – two things it is easy to take for granted.”

David Light, Paul’s specialist rehabilitation practitioner, said: “Paul was totally dependent on others to push him.

“Having some control over his mobility has given Paul a new interest in being active, taught him new skills and allowed him to explore his ability to mano-euvre the wheelchair.”

The funds for the wheelchair were raised after The Gazette published an appeal. The money came from the Bruce Wake Charitable Trust, Herbert and Peter Blag-rave Trust and Dischma Chari-table Trust, each of which operate in Tadley.

Paul, who is severely visually impaired, has been a resident at Fir Tree Lodge, Heather Drive, Tadley for four years.

The specialist residential service, which is run by SeeAbility, caters for young adults with a visual impairment and multiple disabilities.