A YOUNG and inspirational Thurrock man is celebrating the opportunities a new sports wheelchair has opened up for him.

Scott Cooper, 23, from Grays, has been gifted a new sports wheelchair by Cauldwell Children - a charity that transforms the lives of disabled young people across the UK - with contributions to funding from Thurrock Prince's Trust and Corringham's Karis-May Darling Foundation.

His joy at the new chair is supported by friends and colleagues within Thurrock Prince's Trust, who he now represents as a Young Ambassador.

Scott came through the Prince's Trust programme and has won many local admirers for his tenacity, enthusiasm and commitment to life.

Among them is the Trust's Essex Programme Executive Lynn Worrell, who says: "Scott is an amazing young man who took part in our Thurrock Prince's Trust Team programme.

"An absolute pleasure to work with"

"Throughout he never let his disability get in the way and soon integrated into the team.

"He takes part in wheelchair sport but was unable to excel with his old chair.

"The rest of the team decided that they would use the team challenge to raise money towards Scott's new chair and the Karis May Darling foundation kindly contributed with a large sum.

"Since completing the programme Scott has become a Prince's Trust Young ambassador and sits on our newly established Essex youth forum.

"He is an absolute pleasure to work with and never lets his disability get the better of him."

Scott said: "I am feeling very excited about my new chair and cannot wait to get started in sport again.

"I feel very lucky and privileged.

"I would like to thank everyone who has donated and helped me.

"In this strange time that we are living in it is keeping me positive knowing that I have something to look forward to after all this is over."