A SPORTS-mad young boy who was struck down with a degenerative disease is back on the basketball court thanks to a new wheelchair.

Eleven-year-old Henry Bowers, of Kingsway, Stourport-on-Severn, gave up on playing sport six months ago when a rare degenerative disease Freidriech’s Ataxia disease permanently put him a wheelchair.

But he has now joined a wheelchair basketball club after winning him a Multisport wheelchair in a competition run by Motivation, an international disability charity that provides wheelchairs and programmes to disabled people and the UK disability charity Scope.

The youngster was presented with the wheelchair ahead of the basketball match between Worcester Wolves and the Newcastle Eagles at the University of Worcester Arena.

His mum Debbie Heritage said he was a lot happier already and he had already enjoyed two sessions with his new wheelchair basketball club at the arena.

"It's absolutely fantastic, it's just given him a whole new lease of life," she said. "He's just so happy to be out and play sport again.

"He's a happier boy now. He's able to have the ability to go out and play instead of being stuck on hisXbox all the time."

Vikki Rogers, communications officer at Motivation, said: “Motivation developed the Multisport wheelchair to inspire more young people like Henry to take part in wheelchair sport.

"It’s half the price of an average sports wheelchair, and can easily switch between different sports, so it’s perfect for beginners.

"We’re thrilled that Henry is so excited about the chair and we can’t wait to follow his sporting journey.”