'˜NHS won't pay for my wheelchair'

Antony Yates has been told he does not qualify for a new electric chair on the NHS because he can walk a few yards with crutches or sticks.

The former bus driver, who is 42, has now launched a crowdfunding page to raise the cash on his own.

He suffers from fibromyalgia, a nerve condition that causes extreme pain in his joints.

While he can manage to get about the house on crutches or in a manual chair, outside he is helpless after a few steps.

“All I want to do are the things that normal dads do. I want to walk my little girl Hera to school and take her to the park to play,” he said.

“My old wheelchair is on its last legs and it’s got to the stage where it’s not worth spending any more money repairing it.

“My dream chair costs £2,000 and I am determined to raise the money for it.”

Antony and his family, who lives on Oldbrook, are members of the Milton Keynes Christian Centre.

The centre has promised to double whatever is raised through crowdfunding.

Already Antony has raised £452, and has just sold his prized collection of wrestling DVDs to give the fund a further boost.

“It’s only fair I should do my bit,” he said.

You can make a donation on https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/antony-yates-1?utm_id=2