A 22-YEAR-OLD student from Northwich has secured a place in the final of an engineering competition after designing a ‘seat raiser’ inspired by his grandad.

Ben Keeble, an engineering student at the University of Nottingham, has invented Mobiliaid, a portable, battery-powered seat raiser for the elderly and people with disabilities.

He came up with the idea after noticing his grandad needed a portable seat raiser for use outside of the house, like when visiting people or getting out of the car.

Ben’s invention has secured him a place in the final of the Engineers in Business Champion of Champions innovation competition, which will be hosted by TV presenter Rob Bell at the Royal Academy of Engineering on October, 28.

Ben will be pitching his innovation against other teams of student and graduate innovators in the national final - organised by registered charity Engineers in Business Fellowship.

A sum of £15,000 is up for grabs, providing vital seed money to help the winners develop their innovation, along with mentoring from business leaders.

Ben said: “I had the idea for Mobiliaid when my grandfather was unable to visit us due to his difficulties getting out of the car, and then sitting down and getting up from the chair in our house.

“Although he uses a seat raiser at home, there was nothing suitable he could use outside his home, which affected his social life.

“This had a detrimental effect on both his mental and physical health, causing him to feel isolated and lonely, so I decided to try to solve the problem.

“Mobiliaid can be carried from place to place and can be quickly set up on most types of seating.

“It acts as a mobile seat raiser, lifting the person from a seated position or gently lowering them from standing.

“The product is battery powered, can easily be carried via the integral handle in the cover and provides a stable base even on soft seating.

“By using Mobiliaid, someone with sitting and standing difficulties can travel outside their adapted home to visit family and friends.

“I’m pleased to say that we are currently going through final prototyping of the product.”

Ben will be competing for an Engineers in Business Champion of Champions title against nine other teams from various UK universities.