Felixstowe: Campaigners delighted as charity drive to buy a young girl a new wheelchair hits target

Kind-hearted campaigners were celebrating today after their drive to raise the cash needed to buy a young girl a specialist wheelchair hit its target.

The family of 12-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Alana Ranger issued a plea for help in replacing her existing chair, which causes problems when the family are out and she needs changing.

Since her cause was highlighted in the Star, residents in the area have rallied round to help raise more than half of the �2,800 required.

A charity event organised by the Felsto Arms darts team is expected to raise hundreds of pounds for Alana, who also suffers from epilepsy.

The Newlife Foundation, a charity which provides equipment for disabled children, has agreed to pay the remaining amount for the chair when the money from the pub day has been counted.

Alana’s mum, Louise Ranger, 39, said she was overjoyed at the news.

“I was over the moon,” she said. “It’s just brilliant because we’re going to get it (the wheelchair) sooner than we thought.

“The effort everyone has put in has been brilliant.

“This means we won’t have to stay at home all the time. We can go out, which will be fantastic, it will make her life a lot better.”

? Are you raising money for equipment for your child? Tell us about your experiences by writing to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or alternatively you can send an e-mail to starletters@archant.co.uk