A DISABLED boyis able to get out and about with his mum thanks to plastic bags.

Seven-year-old Adam Butterfield is able to spend more time away from his home in Peterlee after being provided with a £2,200 mobile hoist by charity Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children.

The grant follows a donation by clothing store River Island, which redistributes proceeds from sales of carrier bags.

The youngster has a rare condition called Emanuel Syndrome, which means he is unable to talk and uses a wheelchair and standing frame to help him get around.

Mum Nicola McAllister suffers from arthritis which makes it difficult to lift him on her own.

She said: “It limited what we could do out of the family home because sometimes it wasn’t practical for me to go out with him on my own.

“He has even stopped sleeping at his grandparents’ home because they are unable to lift him.”

She added: “The hoist has been a great help. Adam likes to go and about, the mobile hoist has made it easier to get him out of his wheelchair especially when my joints are having a bad day.

Newlife chief executive Sheila Brown said: “As local authority budget cuts continue to bite, more and more families are turning to charities like Newlife for specialist equipment which can help transform young lives.

“Having the support of River Island is an enormous boost for us.”