PEOPLE in Ayrshire with motor neurone disease are now able to get a helping hand - or rather, helping wheels - thanks to a kind-hearted group of local fund-raisers.

Members of an Ayrshire Hospice 'ladies lunch club' for the South Ayrshire area bought two specialised wheelchairs for people with MND supported by the charity to use.

Heather Hardie, Ayrshire Hospice's lead practitioner for community and living well, said: “I want to thank the Ladies Lunch Club for purchasing these chairs for use in the Hospice, they’ll be a massive benefit to our patients.

“These chairs can have a considerable benefit for someone living with MND who may otherwise be restricted to a bed or recliner chair and have allowed people to get outside, to shops and to family events when they otherwise would not be able to.”

Susan Kendall, chair of the Ladies Lunch Club (South Group) committee, added: “When we heard that two MND chairs were on the hospice wish list, we were pleased to be able to fund them.

"This is the reason the club exists - to help with extras which will help the patients and their families.

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“The committee was delighted to learn the new chairs were supplied so quickly and we are sure that they will be of great benefit to patients in the Hospice.”

Irvine resident Ian Welsh is the first patient to benefit from the new wheelchair. He said: “It made a whole difference to my day, being able to sit up and be pushed around.

“It’s very comfortable and allowed me to have dinner at the table with my family which was something I was no longer able to do.”

Heather added: “We as a team are extremely grateful for the generous donation which allows us to fulfil our commitment to making today matter for all.”

If you would like to find out more about the Ladies Lunch Club, and how to attend, you can visit www.ayrshirehospice.org for further details.