Funding pot to provide sporting prosthetics for children who have lost limbs

Children who have lost one or both of their legs may be able to get hold of the latest running blades through a Government scheme.

The Department of Health and Social Care announced that it would extend a funding pot to provide sports prosthetics for children with limb loss.

It is hoped that the £1.5 million investment will help “several hundred” children.

The Government is matching a similar funding pot announced in 2016 – the money from that investment supported 220 disabled children to get sporting prosthetics, including running blades.

The new cash, announced by care minister Caroline Dinenage, will help children who have suffered limb loss through illness or injury and those who were born with a limb deficiency.

Ms Dinenage said: “Hundreds have already benefited from the fund and this additional investment will now help us to open up even more possibilities for children with limb loss, and hopefully ignite in them a lifelong passion for sport.”

Paralympic champion Richard Whitehead said: “A child taking just one or two steps using these prosthetics can make the world of difference and open their eyes to what they can achieve.”

Kiera Roche, chief executive of LimbPower, a charity which encourages people with limb impairments to get involved in physical activity, added: “Children just want to be able to join in and feel included, especially at school and in the community, and this means playing and taking part in PE and games.

“The overriding messages we have received from children and parents is that they can be included, join in, run and jump just like their friends; they can be children and not patients.”

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