A WHEELCHAIR basketball player is in with a shot of securing a place on Team GB - but needs your help.

Bethany Wheeler, 19, from Rayleigh, has a largely unknown condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type 3, which means her joints frequently dislocate and she now uses a wheelchair on a full-time basis.

Bethany feared her condition would make it hard to play any sport but has never looked back after discovering wheelchair basketball.

She was introduced to the sport while she was studying A-level biology, mathematics and physical education, at Seevic College in 2014.

From there, she got talking to coaches who said she had the potential to play at a very high level and joined the Seevic Storm basketball team and was part of its Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence programme, which sees students get another diploma.

The shooting guard or forward player said: “The college were very supportive of the changes I was going through, it was a hard time but they ensured I was given similar opportunities.

“I cannot thank Seevic enough for setting up the wheelchair basketball sessions.”

Bethany currently plays for London Titans and has been accepted onto the GB under 25 programme. She has been selected to represent the East team in the All-Star squad on Saturday, February 25, as well as focusing on the much bigger dream of making it to the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020.

But although Bethany has the talent, there is one barrier standing in her way; she needs a new wheelchair, which could cost up to £5,000.

She said: “The major factor that is currently restricting my progress is the chair. I currently borrow a club level chair which is not suitable for my disability and limits my playing ability.”

Bethany, who is currently studying Occupational Therapy at Brunel University and is a level 2 coach in basketball, is now fundraising for the new chair. She said: “Wheelchair basketball has given me a chance that I never thought possible, to pursue a career in sport. Sport has always been a major part of my life and the realisation that I would not be able to take part any more was hard, but wheelchair basketball changed this and I could continue with my dream.”

Donate at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bethany-wheeler-13