AN urgent appeal has been launched to help a girl with cerebral palsy buy a wheelchair to transform her life.

Telscombe Cliffs mayor Wayne Botting has set up a crowdfunding campaign in a bid to raise the first £8,000 towards the £21,000 cost of the power chair.

Leisha Lamberth, who is 13 on Sunday, has grown out of her old wheelchair and needs a new one to help her be more independent both at home and at school.

Fundraising has been going well but there is just a week left to hit the first £8,000 mark.

Legal requirements mean an online target must be reached within a certain amount of time when raising money for an individual rather than a charity.

If it is not reached, then the money is automatically returned to donors, which is why the fundraising is being done in stages.

Campaigners hope to raise the full amount by Christmas.

Cllr Botting, who is also doing a sponsored walk for Leisha on September 6, said: “When I met Leisha for the first time, I met a young lady with so much ambition and fight, struggling for independence, being held back by her restrictive wheelchair.

“At 12 years-old her friends are growing up fast and Leisha is being left behind at ground level.

“The new Etac800 series Power-chair will give her the life she so deserves, more freedom, independence and the ability to stand at the level of her friends.

“£21,000 for a wheelchair is a lot of money to raise but you shouldn’t put a price on freedom, independence and happiness – something we all take for granted.”

To support the campaign, visit justgiving.com/yimby/TTC