A big-hearted stranger has donated a brand new Samsung tablet to a disabled three-year-old – after she had hers stolen by a callus thief at a FUNDRAISER.
Isla Haffield has cerebral palsy and her parents, Jason and Kate, are trying to raise £60,000 for special treatment in the United States which will allow her to walk unaided.
But while Isla’s nan was fundraising at her local supermarket, the tablet, which helps the little girl with her learning, was stolen.
After sharing the news, her devastated dad, Jason Haffield, 30, said Isla was flooded with offers of replacements and described the response as “amazing”.
A generous stranger offered exactly the family exactly the same tablet, worth more than £120, as the one which was stolen.
Jason, a taxi driver of Cheltenham, Glos., said Isla was delighted when he gave it to her.
“Isla can’t hold a crayon with her cerebral palsy so she has a drawing app and she was missing being able to play her games,” he said.
He added: “She uses the tablet most days and it gives her the opportunity to colour things in. We have also used it to try and bring her language on.
“She really missed it when it was gone.”
Jason said he was bowled over when a generous local woman, Sarah Chambers got in touch to say she had a spare tablet that Isla could have.
He said: “We had never met the lady before.
“She messaged me on Facebook and said she had bought this tablet for her children as they’d broken theirs.
“She didn’t want them to fight over the new one so it had been sitting in a drawer.
“When she read about how Isla’s had been stolen she knew what she wanted to do with it.”
He added: “When she got it back she was so excited. She was squealing with joy and playing with it. She was so happy to have it back.”
He added: “It’s an amazing response. I can’t believe that people can be so kind.
“We would have struggled to replace the tablet straight away so it’s amazing that this has happened. It means there will be no interruption to Isla’s learning.
“We would like to thank everyone for the generosity they have shown following what happened to Isla’s tablet.”
The white Samsung Galaxy tablet, which also contained photos and personal details, was stolen while Isla’s nan was fund-raising at the Northway Co-op in Tewkesbury, Glos.
Luckily, the family have managed to lock the stolen device, meaning whoever has it won’t be able to access it.
As well as helping Isla with her learning the return of the tablet means Jason and his family can focus on fundraising again.
Money raised for Isla’s Walking Dream will help fund Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery for Isla.
It involves opening up the bottom of the spine to operate on nerves, which will relieve spasticity in her muscles.
The family have raised £21,000 so far but need £60,000 for the life-changing surgery in America.
“Immediately following the operation the stiffness in Isla’s legs will significantly reduce,” said Jason.
“This in time should enable her to be able to sit, be potty trained, stand and hopefully in time walk for the first time.
“Due to the amount of energy and time that she currently spends fighting against the cerebral palsy, this causes delay in other areas such as her speech.
“Once the operation is done this should come on also as she will not be fighting against the cerebral palsy all the time.
“This operation could be life changing for her in more ways than one.
“Overall Isla is a very happy child and is desperate to get walking.
“We want her to live a more mobile and active life, without having to live with the daily restraints of a wheelchair.”
To donate to Isla’s cause visit the Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/
