A LITTLE boy who has to undergo gruelling kidney dialysis for ten hours every day is desperately in need of a specialist chair so that he can enjoy time with his family.

Nine-year-old Max Keegan has a genetic condition currently has to have the treatment while in bed which means he has to miss out on important family time.

“His bed is the only safe place we currently have for his dialysis. But he doesn’t always want to go to bed early and having somewhere safe and comfortable for him to sit and start his dialysis would keep him involved with the family,” said mum Claire.

She is hoping to raise around £1,200 for the chair that would allow him to relax at home in comfort with his mum, dad Dale and younger sister, five-year-old Eva.

Max of Wardour Close, Swindon who also has epilepsy and a partially dislocated hip currently has a rigid functional chair provided by local services but it isn’t suitable for relaxing in, so his only alternative is a bean bag, which he usually falls off.

“Because he could slide off we can’t leave him on his own for even a minute,” said Claire.

Max has Mitochondria Disease, which means that certain cells in his body do not operate as well as they should.

Now the UK’s leading children’s disabled charity, Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, is working with the family to look for local heroes who can help raise the required funds.

The chair they need to buy, a PPod will cost £1,261.

Based on a beanbag design with a moulded seat and five-point harness it cannot be tipped over yet it is portable so it can be used anywhere in the house or garden. It also offers vital postural support.

Claire said: “Max naturally leans to one side and is at significant risk of developing scoliosis – curvature of the spine – so having this chair will mean he will be properly positioned, which will help prevent further complications developing.”

Newlife has previously provided a specialist car seat for Max, who is one of 93 children in Wiltshire to receive equipment totalling £190,279. The Keegan family are one of five in Wiltshire currently working with Newlife, with combined equipment needs of more than £2,400.

Newlife says there are almost a million children in the UK with significant disabilities and it is believed that this number is increasing as improved treatments see fewer and fewer child deaths.

To meet current demand, the charity needs more than £8,000 a day to provide essential equipment such as wheelchairs, beds, walking frames, seating, safety equipment and communication aids to children nationwide.

To find out how you can support Max, go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk/wiltshire and click on the Donate button with his story. Alternatively, contact the Newlife County Liaison Team on 01543 431 444, email local@newlifecharity.co.uk.

Newlife guarantees that any money raised surplus to requirements for Max will be used to help other local children.