AN appeal to get a new wheelchair for a Winchester five-year-old has nearly hit its target.
Disabled children's charity Newlife Foundation is appealing for final donations to help Zofia Bichler's parents buy the lightweight chair that will give her more freedom.
The St Peter's Catholic Primary School pupil struggles to get around and her father Lukas Bichler said it will greatly improve her quality of life.
He said: "It will make a big difference to us as a family. Zofia depends on us for everything, but she really wants to be more independent so the wheelchair will make her much happier – and if she is happier then so are we."
Zofia was born at 26 weeks gestation and has Cerebral Palsy, which results in weakness in her body and arm and leg stiffness.
In 2013, aged three, she underwent £50,000 open spinal surgery in America to reduce stiffness in her legs. Her parents Lukas and Malgorzata Bichler, of Water Lane, rallied support to find the cash.
The appeal for her new chair was launched in March and the charity said people have donated generously - raising £318 short of the £3,292 target.
Although statutory services have contributed £300 the family could not afford the rest, so turned to the Newlife Foundation for help.
The charity this year launched its Hampshire Fund to help disabled and terminally ill youngsters locally.
To donate to Zofia's appeal go to newlifecharity.co.uk/hampshire, email local@newlifecharity.co.uk or phone 01543 462777.
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