Friends scoop cash award to help pal get a new wheelchair

4:55pm Wednesday 5th March 2008

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Two caring youngsters have helped improve the life of one of their friends - by scooping more than £200 to put towards a new wheelchair for him.

Robert Rainford, aged 12, of Preston Road, Clayton-le-Woods, suffers from muscular dystrophy.

When his pals Nat and Tahlia Cooke, of Bingley Close, Clayton-le-Woods, heard about the Asda and Chorley Citizen Community Cash giveaway, they applied and won the top award of £238.

Tahlia, 13, and her nine-year-old brother Nat, both wrote letters to the Citizen applying for a share.

Tahlia, who attends All Hallows School, Penwortham, wrote: "Please may we be considered to win a share of the £500 for my friend Robert, who has muscular dystrophy and needs a new wheelchair to help him.

"Unfortunately it costs quite a lot of money and we are helping him save up for it, but we don't have enough money yet. It would make his life much easier for school and at home.

"Even if it is just £20 it would help. So please consider us, thank you very much."

Nat, a pupil at St Bede's Clayton Green, wrote: "Please help my friend Robert and donate some money for his wheelchair, because we are struggling to get the money for him.

"So please donate some money for him. This will make his life a lot easier for him to get up and down in school so thank you very very much." Robert attends Brownedge St Mary's School, Bamber Bridge.

Tahlia and Nat's mum Jackie Cooke, explained: "Their friendship with Robert grew through Robert's mum who is my friend.

"We only came to Chorley ten years ago from Manchester and Tahlia went to the same toddler group as Robert at St Bede's and their friendship lasted."

Jackie, aged 41, a nurse with Central Lancs Primary Care Trust, who is married to computer worker Ian, 42, added: "They were both absolutely thrilled to bits when they heard about the award.

"Nat was dancing round the room with me and when Tahlia got in she was just as thrilled.

"I'm absolutely delighted we got such a substantial sum. It was wonderful for Robert."

Robert's mum Elaine, a nurse at Wigan Infirmary, said: "We have been raising funds to get a wheelchair for the past six months.

"I've ordered one which will take about 10-14 weeks to come and was wondering how we could get the rest of the money for it, so this is very, very nice. We've probably got to find another £700.

"Robert appreciates what Tahlia and Nat have done and said it was very nice of them."

The other groups to benefit were: St Paul's Adlington PTFA: £37; Volunteers from Liverpool Archdiocesan Pilgrimage going to Lourdes: £75; Chorley and South Ribble Employment Project: Windmill Designs: £75; St Laurence Rainbow unit: £50; Chorley and Shouth Ribble Knit and Natter Group: £25.