AMY Hutchinson refuses to let her disability get in the way of her active lifestyle.

The Northwich schoolgirl, who has spina bifida and hydrocephalus, plays basketball and badminton and even represents her school, St Nicholas Catholic High School, at boccia.

She also enjoys cycling holidays with her parents Mike and Karen using an adapted wheelchair.

But Amy, 15, has outgrown her current chair and, as the replacement will cost £3,600, she is appealing for help with a fundraising campaign.

“It would give her a better quality of life,” said mum Karen, of Chadwick Road in Middlewich.

“The regular wheelchair from the NHS is very heavy but this will allow her to get around much faster, participate in sports and is generally good for her health and wellbeing.

“We do a lot of cycling as a family. When we go on holiday we take our bikes and she loves that, it’s fantastic exercise for her.”

The new chair will be a custom made lightweight sports wheelchair which has an attachment for cycling.

Amy said: “When me and my friends are together we sometimes go around on our bikes.

“Although I was still involved with trips before I had the chair, having the cycle chair has made me feel more involved and included.

“Also, I have never been able to do that much exercise due to being in my chair and having the bike has meant finding the right type of exercise that is of benefit to me.

“I want to keep doing it so I can stay fit and healthy.”

Amy’s appeal is off to a great start as she has raised almost £700 with car boot sales and a sponsored swim at Winsford Lifestyle Centre.

Middlewich Round Table has also donated £1,000.

To support Amy visit her website at wheelieappeal.com.