Brave woman's gratitude to readers

A BRAVE Felixstowe woman who can not walk after she was accidentally shot three-and-a-half-years ago has today thanked Evening Star readers who donated more than £500 to buy her a shed to store specialist equipment.

Michelle Coulson, 23, was paralysed after the freak accident in 2002.

But despite the tragedy surrounding the incident, her story of courage and optimism - combined with a face always bearing a smile - touched many hearts.

An appeal was set up in her name by The Star and generous readers dug deep to help Michelle.

The shed the money has paid for will be home to various bits and pieces of equipment, most notably a large hoist which is used in the event of Michelle falling from her wheelchair.

And while giving her extra space in her bedroom and removing some of those things connected with Michelle's disability, it will also mean a greater degree of day-to-day normality.

Michelle said: “The shed will really make a difference to me.

“At the moment, I have to bundle things up in the corner, but it will give me more space and there will be less, visible medical things around the place.”

Michelle's future is bright.

She has secured part-time employment at Ipswich Borough Council, works as a volunteer at Ipswich Hospital in the IT department, has continued to teach life saving and also volunteers with St John's Ambulance.

Michelle said: “I just want to say a massive thank you to those people who donated money.

“It was a bit of a surprise when I heard about it but definitely a nice one.”

The Coulson family thanked those who sponsored Michelle's brother Charles when he took part in the Great South Run.

The final sum raised - which will go to Spinal Research - is expected to top the £1,000 mark.

Thanks was given to the family of Laurie Squirrell - the Stowmarket teenager who was paralysed in a motocross crash - after they generously sponsored Charles.