Many children born with spina bifida will never walk and will become wheelchair dependent from as early as the age of three in order to gain mobility. This need continues throughout adulthood and the necessity to find the correct wheelchair for their ongoing needs is essential.

Due to stringent NHS funding the need for Shine to assist in ensuring a child has the best wheelchair to give them a good start in life has never been more apparent. We monitor their progress to ensure that their wheelchair is replaced in a time honoured fashion to “grow” with them.

Shine also has many children and adults who wish to get involved in various sports they require specially adapted wheelchairs in order to compete. We help the individual and their families in raising the funds required to purchase the wheelchair and realise their dreams. Shine's Occupational Therapy Service, which is funded entirely through voluntary donations, provides free advice and support to families and individuals on acquiring and using wheelchairs.

As an organisation we also conduct teenage residentials where wheelchair-using youngsters can try activities such as abseiling and canoeing. This gives them the confidence and realisation that, although they may spend most of their life in a wheelchair, this need not be a barrier to achieving their full potential and actively taking part in fun events.

Throughout our members’ lives Shine offers advice on how to manage wear or tear on various joints as the constant propelling of a manual wheelchair can have long-term physical effects on their body, in particular their elbows and shoulders.

There are some outstanding examples of wheelchair users with spina bifida becoming high achievers. Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson won 16 Paralympic medals including 11 golds, held 30 world records and won the London Wheelchair Marathon six times. Shine's Patron David Proud, supported by Shine throughout his childhood, was determined to become an actor and has won many TV parts, including playing the wheelchair using character Adam Best in BBC's EastEnders. David has since gone on to become a successful writer and producer in his own right.

The balloons are being launched from The All England Lawn Tennis Club in celebration of Wimbledon fortnight.