Courtney Rolins, mother of seven-year-old Seth who has Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, said the wheelchair-accessible car they will put the money towards will make a huge difference to their family.

“(DMD is) a muscle deteriorating disease which will slowly take away his ability to walk and he will need a wheelchair,” Ms Rolins said. 

“At this stage Seth is still currently walking but his condition is declining he can not walk a long distance before tiring, he has many falls which can really impact him as they can just happen at anytime his legs will just collapse from under him and he gets very emotional.

“Seth currently uses a scooter to get around at school and any long distance walking. There is no time line for DMD and he could be looking at being in a wheel chair next year or or three years, we just don’t know,” she said.

“This condition affects all the muscles including the heart and lungs. Winter is the most difficult for seth having this condition and also a poor respiratory is not easy we have to be very careful with him getting sick because if he develops pneumonia it could be fatal.

“We understand that some people with disabilities appear to look like they don’t have a disability at all and i believe that is the hardest when some don’t believe that they have special needs. Seth appears normal to someone who does not know him but when he is watched you can see his difficulties walking and running as he can not keep up with his peers with out the assistance of his scooter.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

LAST FRIDAY: Wimmera Wally and West Side Horsham have again teamed up to help people in need.

The partnership has donated $1000 to Noah’s Ark early intervention service.

Noah’s Ark team leader and occupational therapist Cait Brennan said the money would go towards supporting a family with a child who has muscular dystrophy.

“They’re looking to purchase a new car in order to be modified for their child,” Ms Brennan said. 

“They will need a wheelchair in the coming months or years, and at the moment the family car isn’t big enough and is too old to be modified under the standards that the NDIS set out.

“So this family will be really grateful for all the support they can get.”

The family wished to remain anonymous.

Noah’s Ark helps 65 children with disabilities and their families across the Wimmera, Mallee and Grampians region – including home and childcare visits.

West Side general manager Tim Nurse said Wally, wearing his traditional blazer and hat, was still going strong after about 15 years of anonymous generosity.