AN ANONYMOUS donor has stepped forward to bring Christmas joy to four Cheshire children after reading an article in the Guardian.

The story of Northwich teenager Laura Hunt being given a new lightweight wheelchair after a £1,928 donation from Vale Royal Lions has prompted a generous reader to give more than £5,000 to help other youngsters.

The Lions and Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans presented Laura with the wheelchair through national children’s disability charity Newlife Foundation, which also used the article to emphasise that other children in the county were waiting for equipment.

The kind-hearted benefactor has given the Newlife Foundation £5,515, which will help fund three specialist car seats for children in Stockport, Romiley and Gatley and a versatile learning station which doubles up as a chair and a bed for a four-year-old boy in Crewe.

Nora Smith, Newlife fundraising manager, said: “We are very grateful for the donations and fundraising efforts of all out dedicated supporters across Cheshire.

“This latest donation will bring a smile to the faces of four families in the county – a great Christmas present for them all.”

Newlife Foundation has funded 211 equipment grants in Cheshire, totalling £363,514.

Demand on Newlife resources has shot up in recent months and the charity is appealing for ‘local heroes’ to come forward to fundraise or donate specifically to support disabled and terminally ill children in their own counties.

Sheila Brown, chief executive of Newlife, said: “Newlife guarantees that 100 per cent of any gift or donation will go directly to fund equipment for disabled and terminally ill children in your designated county.”

For more information ring the Newlife community fundraising team on 0800 988 4640.