A GIRL from Flint has been given a life-changing piece of equipment following a charity fundraiser.

Emily Roberts, who has spina bifida, was presented with a new walking frame by a local gym owner who organised a charity walk up Mount Snowden raising £750 to provide the youngster with the new piece of equipment.

Ricky Nicholson, owner of Flint-based Nicholson Kickboxing and Fitness, said: “I have known Emily’s mum Sharon since school and we got talking one day at the garage and that is where I offered to help do some fundraising for the family as I knew of Emily’s condition.

“She told me that they were looking to get Emily a second walking frame which would be kept at school and we wanted to help out in whatever way we could so organised the Snowdon walk which raised hundreds of pounds and thankfully covered every penny needed to pay for the new equipment.”

Joined by Danny Dixon, who trains at the gym, the five-year-old was given her new walker to keep at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School.

Ricky added: “I do a lot of fundraising for local causes and seeing how much of a difference it makes to people’s lives is just an incredible feeling – and I felt that again when we got to see Emily’s face when giving her the new walker.”

Spina bifida is a condition that is a result of a baby’s spine and spinal cord not developing properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine There are several different types of spina bifida including myelomeningocele – which the NHS says is the most severe type of the condition - which is what Emily lives with daily.

Speaking to the Leader her mother, Sharon said: “We have already started to feel the benefits of having the extra walking frame at school and keeping one at home. Emily also uses a wheelchair so you can imagine how difficult it is pushing the chair as we walk as well as bringing the walking frame to and from school.

“Having the extra frame at school is so handy for us as she can go from the chair to the either walker which is waiting for her at home or at the school gates. It takes a little bit of stress out of the school run. We want to add a huge thank you to Ricky and the people that helped raise the funds for our family. It was such a meaningful gesture and will change our lives as a family.”

Ricky added that if any other local causes are seeking help with fundraising, they can visit the gym on Manor Industrial Estate in Flint or call him on 07833 254793.