A 10-year-old girl whose life has been transformed by her new wheelchair raced a member of staff around a Fenland supermarket to raise funds and help other children.
Cerebral palsy sufferer Rhiannon Croft, of Wisbech, who has been wheelchair-bound since she was three years old, took on Sue Greene at Morrisons, in Wisbech, in a wheelchair race on Sunday.
Cheered on by family, friends and staff, they raced about 100 yards from the warehouse to the end of the store, with the youngster coming out on top.
She competed in the customised wheelchair she was given by Whizz-Kidz, which improves the quality of life of disabled children and young people in the UK by providing customised mobility equipment.
She said: “I am a full-time wheelchair user. For a long time I was in a wheelchair that was too heavy for me to use properly.
“This meant that I got tired quickly and could not keep up with my friends in school.
“Earlier this year I got my new wheelchair from Whizz-Kidz and I love it. I can go so much faster and can now do wheelies.
“I would like to help other children like me get wheelchairs.”
Rhiannon’s fund-raising has captured the imagination of a host of celebrities on social media - she has had retweets from Amanda Holden, Strictly Come Dancing performers Artem Chigvintsev and Khristina Rihanoff and Paralympic cyclist Dame Sarah Storey.
Her initial fund-raising target was £500 but her efforts have raised about £1,700.
Jessica Hiscocks, regional fund-raiser for Whizz-Kidz, paid tribute to Rhiannon.
She said: “What she has done is absolutely fantastic. We thought her challenge was brilliant, exciting and different.
“Her initial target was £500 so for her to raise £1,700 is amazing. We are so proud of her.
“It will really benefit other children like her. A customised wheelchair makes a huge difference to a child’s mobility and confidence.”
• To donate, visit Rhiannon’s Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/Janet-Hennebery
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