Can you help to improve Abigail’s life?

It's a race against time to help nine-year-old Abigail Joy. (AB168c0815)

Abigail Joy, who has been living with an extremely rare chromosome disorder since birth, and her family are attempting to raise £6,000 by August 22, which they say will transform their lives.

Parents Richard and Gaynor, who also have 12-year-old Lewis, say they are desperately in need of a specially adapted mobility van, meaning they will be able to get Abigail’s eight-and-a-half stone body in and out without having to manually lift her and an area which will allow them to change her while maintaining her dignity.

A new van would cost up to £50,000, so while they will use grant money and personal savings to cover the advanced payment of £6,000, they still need to find a further £6,000 to cover the costs of equipping it out to meet Abi’s needs.

To help them they have launched a crowdfunding campaign, where people pledge donations, but the money only leaves accounts if the total amount is raised.

Mum Gaynor said: “We recognise that Abi is 100 per cent our responsibility but special needs and disability equipment often comes with a price tag of thousands and that means it’s beyond the reach of most normal families and normal incomes, including our own.

“We’ve had to swallow our pride and ask for some help because we can’t see any other way. We understand other people have financial pressures too and we don’t want anyone to go to any trouble for us, but if people can spare a pound or two it will make a huge and lasting difference.”

Family friend Zoe Palethorpe set up the crowdfunding page.

She said “I have known Gaynor since we were at school together.

“She, together with her husband, do the most fantastic job in raising and caring for Abigail while also bringing up Lewis.

“Abigail is constantly in and out of hospital but never ever fails to have anything other than a massive smile on her face.

“She gives the best hugs and is the most delightfully hilarious child.

“I want to do everything I can to help them all, which is why I’m helping them raise the money they need.

“ People can help us by donating whatever they can afford – every penny pledged will make an enormous difference.”

To help visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/joyfully