A former gymnast who had to quit the sport after being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome is desperately fundraising to help buy a new wheelchair.

Sophie Clayton, 16, who lives off Coggeshall Road in Braintree, was once a budding gymnast with a love of floor routines, but had to quit after she was diagnosed last year.

The brave teen was also diagnosed with a number of other conditions including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), verbal ticks, developmental delay, hypermobility, double scoliosis and sensory issues.

Due to her chronic fatigue syndrome she needs a wheelchair to help her get around.

She is hoping to raise £2,415 to buy a Quickie Xenon 2 SA lightweight wheelchair which she can move herself.

“I use my wheelchair to get from place to place, I don’t have to use it when I’m not doing any walking,” she said.

“I use it when we go shopping as I have to save my energy, if I don’t I will be asleep for 20 hours a day.

“My mum has problems with her wrist so struggles to push the chair and lift it out of the car. But we do our best.

“Every time we go somewhere a piece of it either falls off or breaks. I would love this wheelchair but it’s a lot of money.”

Doctors believe Sophie’s chronic fatigue syndrome could have been brought on by trauma and numerous throat and gland infections.

The determined teenager attended two residential schools before she moved back with her family who missed her and was home tutored up until Christmas.

Sophie, whose wheelchair is second hand, said: “People don’t understand so I haven’t really got any friends.

“I have to manage. I’ve dealt with it my whole life. I have an amazing mum who helps me a lot.

“I have my good and bad days. On my occasional good days, I might not even have to use my wheelchair.

“If I didn’t have my chair, I would be stuck in bed all day.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/getsophsomewheels.