“I don’t think I could ever put into words how grateful I am” - Joy for Charlie and his mum as fundraising target for new wheelchair is met

Lucy Littley, mum of 11-year-old Charlie, who has cerebral palsy, only put the appeal out two weeks ago, but has achieved the target of raising £11,000 to buy an all-terrain, powered wheelchair.

“I’m just overwhelmed, I’m just speechless about it all,” Lucy said.

“I honestly can’t believe how people have dug deep and helped.

“I can’t believe it’s been achieved in such a short space of time.

“I was born in Halifax and there’s not been very many times I’ve said I’m proud to be from Halifax, but I am now after this. It’s just amazing what the people of Halifax have achieved for my son.

“A lot of people have never met him but they’ve read the story, might have seen him at FC Halifax Town matches.

“It really means a lot. When he gets the chair it will be amazing.

“We’ve got a field at the back of where we live and I often hear Charlie’s friends playing football.

“That’s lovely to hear but it’s bittersweet because I want my boy to be doing that. Although he won’t be running around a football pitch, this chair could give him the freedom to play with his friends.

“He loves football that much. He’s more than happy to sit on the sideline and get that enjoyment from watching his friends play.

“This chair is going to change his life.

“It’s amazing he’s going to get a chance to be in control and have a choice, and it’s going to be easier for him with the chair being all-terrain.

“He’s going to be able to go places where a normal powered wheelchair wouldn’t allow him to.

“I don’t think I could ever put into words how grateful I am to every single person who donated, or even shared it on social media to help get Charlie’s story out there.

“They’ve all played a part in my little boy getting this chair. To do it in such a short space of time is amazing.

“At the end of the year we’ve all had, and for it to be just before Christmas, it makes it even more amazing.”

A football game to raise funds for the appeal will take place on Saturday at Lightcliffe Academy, kicking off at 11am.

As the target has now been reached, Lucy says any money raised will go towards the cost of insurance and warranty for the chair.

FC Halifax Town manager Pete Wild, who donated £100 to the appeal, said: “It’s fantastic, I’m really pleased, it shows the spirit of the town, the spirit of the club, to rally together and get the money for this young lad.

“It will change his life for Christmas, you couldn’t have a better Christmas present than that, which is brilliant.”