A FAMILY fitness fun day is being held next month in an effort to give a disabled four-year-old girl a sense of freedom she has never had.

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

Her mother Charlotte, and father Andy, are now desperately trying to raise around �8,000 to buy their daughter a motorised wheelchair.

Mrs Bates, from Gedney Road in Long Sutton, said: “Alice doesn’t have many down days, she’s just a very happy child who is always laughing and smiling.

“However, she is fully aware that she can’t do what her friends are doing and that’s when she becomes very upset. She is trapped in her little body.

“She was assessed for a powered wheelchair recently and had such a big grin on her face because she was controlling herself. It gave her a glimpse of a future she could have and a life she has never had. She cried so much when they took it away from her.

“A motorised wheelchair would simply give her some element of the freedom which we all take for granted every day.”

Charlotte said her five other children, John, Henry, Abigail, Emily and Hannah have been “amazing” in helping Alice’s progression but the wheelchair would be a vital boost in her development.

Boxercise instructor Jack Bishop has organised the fundraising event on May 15 at Cinder Ash Park in Long Sutton. Participants will gain sponsorship to take part in the class and a host of other activities are being organised to help raise further funds throughout the day.

Mrs Bates, said: “Everybody that meets Alice falls in love with her and we’re so thankful for all the support we’ve already had from the community.”

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