Community helps Kacie-Mai get her £20k wheelchair

Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary School pupil Kacie-Mai Jones, of Airedale, has collagen related muscular dystrophy.

Her family were told when Kacie-Mai was just two that she isn’t expected to live past the age of 18.

Now, after launching a campaign to raise funds for her wheelchair, the youngster has her specialist chair which allows her to be more independent.

Craig Russell, her grandfather, said: “I can’t put it into words how grateful we are. The response has been unbelievable.

“Kacie-Mai goes to Martin House Children’s Hospice and I walked in one day and a guy I’d never met before just said ‘I’ve seen you in the paper, here’s a cheque for £250.

“That’s what it’s been like. It’s been really heartwarming to see everyone pull together for Kacie-Mai.”

Mr Russell said the Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary School pupil’s condition means her muscles don’t grow with her bones and it puts a strain on her ligaments.

He said: “It has just completely transformed her life. It has made her totally independent and she is so much happier.

“She can access everything she needs to at school and do what she needs to at home.

“Not only has it made a huge difference to her but also for me and her grandma because she is able to do so many tasks without asking for help from us.”

Mr Russell thanked everyone who has helped raise money for the fund.

He said: “The biggest thank you I’ve got to give is for my wife because she has done everything to make it possible.

“Without all of her hard work and effort we would never have got enough money.”