'Help my little Lily get a new chair' (From Bicester Advertiser)

'Help my little Lily get a new chair'

2:00pm Saturday 2nd March 2013 in News By Sam McGregor, covering Bicester. Call me on 01869 250197

EVERY time Lily Ilott goes to school, her parents pray her wheelchair will last another day.

The six-year-old has type two spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic condition which means she cannot bear weight and is confined to a wheelchair.

Her current wheelchair is worn out and too small, so Lily’s parents have launched a £17,000 appeal to buy her a new one.

Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust has confirmed it will contribute £2,500, but the family, from Worton Road, Middle Barton, near Bicester, will have to raise the rest.

People are being urged to go along to a casino night at the village social club in Worton Road tonight to help get the appeal off the ground.

Mum Jo Ilott, 40, said: “A new wheelchair will make a massive difference to Lily.

“If she doesn’t get a new chair the current one will start to break down.

“She will have to be pushed around and will lose her independence. Lily’s going to be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life and has to come to terms with that.

“She has been going through a tough time recently.

“She’s been having dreams that she can walk and sees her little sister finding her feet. That’s a lot to take on board when you are six years old.

“Lily has exercises every day at school and is the only one in her class in a wheelchair.

“She wants to be racing around like everyone else and doesn’t want to be pushed around in a manual wheelchair. That’s what will happen until we can raise the money to get a new one.”

A new chair would last Lily at least five years. It would have a specially-moulded seat, lights, be easy to turn and compact.

Her current wheelchair is from charity Whizzkidz, but there is an 18-month waiting list for a replacement.

Lily, a pupil at Middle Barton School, was diagnosed with her condition, which can be life limiting, at the age of 18 months.

To donate to the appeal, email jojo.lilysmum@hotmail.co.uk