May 17, 2019 12.43 pm This story is over 58 months old

Disabled woman’s bid to fund lifechanging wheelchair

She has faced discrimination for using a mobility scooter
Tasha with her partner Chris, who also has cerebral palsy, in Lincoln.

A Lincoln woman with cerebral palsy is trying to raise money for a wheelchair attachment which would give her greater independence.

Tasha Gollop has always struggled getting around but hopes that a new piece of technology will improve her life.

Over the past few months, Tasha has managed to raise £637 towards her £4,800 target for the new wheelchair attachment.

The Batec wheelchair attachment clips onto the front of a traditional wheelchair with one motorised wheel.

It is smaller than a mobility scooter, so Tasha hopes that with it she’d be able to explore shops and be allowed on trains.

A Batec wheelchair attachment clips onto the front of a traditional wheelchair.

The 39-year-old told The Lincolnite: “I think that people really need to change their attitudes. When people see me around the city on a mobility scooter, they just assume that I can’t be bothered to walk and don’t even consider asking if I’m disabled.

“A lot of shops and cafes in Lincoln are quite small so it makes it impossible for me to get in with a mobility scooter. It’s not a recognised disability aid so I’m not even allowed on trains.

“I have tried to use an electric wheelchair in the past, but I really don’t feel safe without a handle bar on the front. I’m hoping that if I can raise the money that the attachment will open new doors for me.”

Tasha, who volunteers at Samaritans and a local theatre in her spare time, plans to visit her friends in places like Sleaford and Nottingham on the train.

She will be holding a tombola in the next few months and is looking for people to donate prizes. Anyone who would like to help should send an email here.