FAMILY and friends of a Tranent youngster are limbering up to take on a charity walk for a good cause which “changed his quality of life”.

Edinburgh-based Kindred has provided help and support to Rocco Wood – who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy – and his family, of The Waggonway, for several years.

Now Rocco, who uses a wheelchair and a trike to get about, will be joined at the start line of the Edinburgh Kiltwalk by more than a dozen friends and family members.

Mum Louise said: “Rocco has been receiving quite a lot of support from Kindred.

“They are an advocacy group that help parents with children of complex needs. They help with a wide range of different things but for Rocco it sums it up for us to say they have changed his quality of life.

“They have done so much for him and helped fundraise for equipment, got him into the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh, they have helped get his wheelchair, which he desperately needed, and lots of other equipment for around the house.

“They have just been absolutely fantastic and changed his life completely.”

Kiltwalks take place across Scotland. The fundraiser has been developed and underwritten by Sir Tom Hunter and The Hunter Foundation.

Rocco, 10, will be joined on the start line at Gipsy Brae, off the Capital’s West Shore Road, by his mum and dad Mark as well as grandparents and his carers among others.

The group, with Rocco leading the way with a special t-shirt on, will set off on The Wee Wander at noon and make their way to the home of Scottish rugby, Murrayfield Stadium.

Louise, 33, was keen to raise not only money for the charity – with £284 raised ahead of the event on Sunday (September 15) – but also awareness of the good cause.

She said: “Kindred not only help and support Rocco but also give Mark and myself the strength to keep fighting for Rocco and keep supporting him in everyday living.

“Just knowing when I look at Rocco and see the smile on his face, it is not just me that put it there but it is Kindred. They are amazing.”

The charity is parent-led and 50 per cent or more of their trustees are parents of children with disabilities.

Louise told the Courier: “It is just getting across that the support and help is there for parents with children with complex needs.”

To support Rocco and his friends and family, go to edinburghkiltwalk2019.everydayhero.com/uk/rocco or join them on the start line.