A SPECIALLY adapted car has meant a world of difference to nine-year-old Matthew Downs.

In just three years, Matthew's family and friends have raised the amazing amount of £30,000 - and given him a new lease of life.

Matthew, who suffers from a muscle wasting disease and diabetes, is almost totally restricted to a wheelchair.

And before his family got the specially adapted Toyota Previa last month, every journey was a complicated and lengthy operation.

Now, Matthew, who lives with his parents, Lesley and Graham Downs and younger sister, Megan, two, in Burley-in-Wharfedale, is easily wheeled in and out of the car.

Grandad, Malcolm Osborne, of Otley, said Matthew was delighted with the car.

"He thinks it's smashing and looks upon it as his because it is. He even chose the colour."

Matthew, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Disease, complicated by diabetes, for which he takes daily injections, can only walk a few steps and spends the majority of his life in a wheelchair. He is not expected to live far beyond his 21st birthday.

But he goes to Burley Oaks Primary School and can now go on plenty of trips out with his parents, grandparents and aunts.

Mr Osborne said: "We've got it insured so anyone can drive it and its just so much easier. It's not a struggle anymore and makes life a lot different for him.

"Before, it used to take his mum ages to get him to school and he's such a weight to lift. But now, she just straps him into the car and they're off. He can go to places like McDonalds and trips out."

His aunt, Caroline Davies, added: "People say it's only a car, but it's life changing for Matthew. I took him bowling the other day and normally I wouldn't be able to manage."

Matthew's grandparents, Malcolm and Jean Osborne, launched the appeal to buy the car when Matthew was just six years old.

All sorts of people and groups donated money and held fundraising events including dance marathons and raffles and a few large anonymous donations were made.

Mr Osborne said they were very grateful to all those people who contributed to the appeal and would continue to raise money to pay for things to make Matthew's life easier.

"There are things that he needs that can't be provided by the NHS," he said.

For now, Matthew enjoys life although, like any other child, has times of frustration.

"It can be frustrating for him when he sees his sister playing, but he's happy and is always laughing," said Mr Osborne.

Three years ago Matthew's grandmother won a national competition which saw him going on an all expenses trip to London to meet a boy band.

And two years ago Matthew was named a child of achievement for overcoming his difficulties and honoured at a special ceremony in London.

l Matthew's family are appealing to a landowner to allow them to use land for Matthew to use his quad bike.

Matthew's uncle, Mark, bought Matthew a petrol driven quad bike which he can ride with someone else, but he needs somewhere legal to use it.

Grandmother, Jean Osborne, said: "He really enjoys it, he has to have someone driving it, but its such fun for him. The problem is we don't have anywhere to use it and wondered whether someone with a spare piece of land wouldn't mind us using it."

Anyone able to help should contact Jean Osborne on (01943) 468592.