A boy's life has been transformed thanks to the generous kind-hearted community.

Ten-year-old Oscar Knight has had a new sense of freedom since receiving his brand new wheelchair, bought with the money raised through a marathon row held in Dartmouth's Coronation Park last September.

More than 40 people took it in turns to put their backs into the Awesome for Oscar 24-hour rowing machine marathon, raising an impressive £3,642, which was presented to Oscar by event organisers Jenny Pichowski and Lynne Leader.

Oscar, who suffers from a disorder of the nervous system called complex regional pain syndrome, which has left him in increasing pain since he was just five years old, needed the wheelchair so that he could go back to school.

Oscar lives with mum Natasha and dad Will in Victoria Road. Natasha said the made-to-measure paediatric wheelchair, which cost £2,000, will last him until he is 18.

Since getting his wheelchair in November, Oscar has been handed a new lease of life, he has been able to go to school more often and has even taken up competitive basketball.

'It has totally transformed his life,' said Natasha.

'He is now attending school 90 per cent of the time, compared to 28 per cent before.

'He is participating in competitive wheelchair basketball in Plymouth and it has helped him socially by helping improve his confidence. It is something that he can have freedom in.'

Natasha said that the leftover money from the row will be used towards more physio sessions for Oscar or towards therapy that is not available on the NHS.

She added that Oscar was due to be a two-week inpatient at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London in the summer, which 'will hopefully get him more mobile'.

To say thank you to Great Ormond Street Hospital, and to help other children like Oscar, Natasha is now on her own fundraising crusade. She will be taking part in the Round the Island cycle challenge organised by the hospital's children's charity in Ibiza at the beginning of May.

The cycle covers a distance of about 190km in two days and raises funds for HAIRraising – an appeal founded by hairdresser John Frieda to build a new respiratory ward at the hospital. The new unit will provide more space and privacy for families. Spacious bedrooms with en-suite facilities will allow parents or carers to sleep by their child's bedside overnight and a high dependency unit will allow parents and carers to rest in comfort throughout the day and also provide space for medical equipment.

Natasha says she is feeling quite nervous about the challenge that lies ahead of her and is just starting to train. 'I have started by cycling 40 miles a week and will be building it up to about 60 – 80,' she said.

To sponsor Natasha visit her JustGiving fundraising page at www. justgiving.com/Natasha-Knight1.