It has been a year-long battle to find Amber Atkins a new wheelchair – but now a charity has stepped to meet her needs.

The Norwich youngster, who has cerebral palsy, has received a state-of-the-art powered wheelchair worth �11,121 from children's charity Caudwell Children.

The nine-year-old from Mile Cross had outgrown her previous wheelchair which she used every day and which had given her independence since she was a toddler.

Her family faced a 12-month struggle to find a suitable new wheelchair and is now overjoyed with her new one, which has helped her regain her independence.

Amber's mum Lyn Atkins, 39, who is married to Jason and has a second daughter Millie, four, said: 'We had a year-long nightmare trying to get a new wheelchair for Amber that was suitable for her and to replace the one she had been using since she was three. She had completely outgrown it.

'We had received one from the NHS but it was very basic and didn't meet her needs. She loves her new wheelchair.

'It's bright pink and comes with indicators and headlights – she indicates when she goes from the kitchen and into the living room.

'It makes so much difference. She can take herself to whichever room she wants to go and it's suited to her specific needs. We are really grateful to Caudwell. They made everything unbelievably straightforward.'

Caudwell Children provides treatment, therapy, equipment and family support services for sick and disabled children throughout the UK.

Trudi Beswick, chief executive of the charity, said: 'Throughout the year we work hard carrying out fundraising to help make life-changing donations to children like Amber who need equipment, treatment or therapy not available on the NHS.

'Without this support, the vital work we do providing a lifeline to families like this simply would not be possible.

'Equipment for disabled children is so expensive and by highlighting the difference a donation like this can make to a life, we hope people will understand the transformation supporting Caudwell Children can make.'

To date Caudwell Children has provided services worth more than �17 million to thousands of children with more than 350 different medical conditions.

To find out more visit www.caudwellchildren.com.

Has a charitable donation changed your life for the better? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk.