A FAMILY were left stunned by the generosity of the public after more than �4,000 was raised to help buy their disabled daughter a motorised wheelchair.

Alice Bates was born 11 weeks prematurely and as a result suffered brain damage at birth. She was diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy when she was just 14 months old.

Boxercise instructor Jack Bishop organised a family fun day in Long Sutton on May 15 which raised more than �1,000 towards the cause but donations have continued to pour in from across the area.

Alice’s mum, Charlotte Bates, of Gedney Road in Long Sutton, said: “This has all been very overwhelming. We thought it might takes months to raise the money the �8,000 we need but we’re already half-way there.

“The generosity from people we don’t know has really touched us. It’s really taken my breath away.”

More than �300 was raised through sponsorship for the boxercise class with �920 being raised at stalls on the fun day. Alice’s dad Andy, Mr Bishop, Aaron Farr and Ben Merson also raised �100 through a sponsored leg wax on the day.

Caroline and Sean Lunn from Wisbech - who read about the appeal in this newspaper - provided music for the day. The town’s Cullum Plant Hire also lent their Sounds Alive disco a generator free of charge for the event.

Mrs Bates said: “We’re keeping a scrapbook for Alice so that when she gets older she’ll realise that all of these people, many of whom don’t know her, came to support the appeal. It’ll be wonderful for her to look back on.”

Three donations of �1,000 each - from the Lincolnshire Environmental Group, the Lincolshire Free Press and an anonymous donor - have further boosted the fund.

Cleaners at Premier Foods in Long Sutton also unexpectedly donated �135 to the appeal after holding a name the teddy competition.

• To find out more information about the fundraising event or to help with the appeal e-mail charlottebates711@btinternet.com