Piper's freedom and church gifts buggy

Piper Docherty, who lives with her mum, Rebekah, and sister, Meadow, in Bedford, has Down’s Syndrome and mobility issues which leave her tired and in pain after a walk.

Her story, which featured in the Times & Citizen, touched the hearts of Sam Jones and the congregation of the Bedford Christian Centre, who raised more than £500 to fund her new buggy.

Sam said. “We are fortunate enough to be in a position where we could do something to help and I hope that if it were my child in need someone would help me.

“I just really wanted to play a part in this child’s life and do something positive for her.”

Piper’s mum Rebekah couldn’t believe her ears when she got the call from Newlife Foundation, the UK’s largest charitable provider of essential equipment to meet the specialist needs of children with disabilities and terminal illness, to say that the buggy had been funded.

She said: “I just couldn’t believe what that lady was saying to me on the phone – it had happened so quickly – I was so grateful.

“I have already started thinking about the things we will be able to do that have been out of the question for us in the past – like going out for a whole day – maybe a trip to the zoo or into London to one of the museums. Even everyday things like the school run will be easier – I won’t have to carry Piper on my shoulders anymore.”

She added: “I kept thinking back over the things we have done over the last month or so that would have been so much easier if we had a buggy – not only from a safety point of view but also because Piper gets so tired.

“We can’t thank the Bedford Christian Society enough for their generosity.”

In Bedfordshire alone, Newlife has already funded £226,496 of disability equipment – including beds, wheelchairs, seating and sensory aids – for 171 children.

For more information, go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk/bedfordshire