10-year-old with mobility issues takes on tough charity challenge

A 10-year-old Melton girl, who has mobility problems from having the most severe form of cerebral palsy, is planing to walk nearly five miles to raise money for other children with serious conditions.
Kaci Chapman (10), who suffers from a severe form of cerebral palsy and who is planning to walk nearly five miles in aid of a children's charity EMN-201218-115538001Kaci Chapman (10), who suffers from a severe form of cerebral palsy and who is planning to walk nearly five miles in aid of a children's charity EMN-201218-115538001
Kaci Chapman (10), who suffers from a severe form of cerebral palsy and who is planning to walk nearly five miles in aid of a children's charity EMN-201218-115538001

Kaci Chapman has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and usually needs to use a walking frame to get about.

But for her fundraiser she will attempt to walk unaided from her home on Asfordby Road to Burton Lazars and back on January 31.

Mum, Kym Durrance, told the Melton Times: “I don’t think Kaci has ever managed to walk this far without one of her aids.

“She does have a walking frame and wheelchair for longer distances just like this but she wants to try and do it without any.

“She’s very determined to and we will stop as many times as we need to, she isn’t under any time pressure it’s just the distance.

“Me and her dad, Lee Chapman, will be by her side all the way encouraging her.”

Kaci is raising funds for the Newlife charity, which provides thousands of items of equipment every year to help children with cancers, birth defects, accident, diseases and infections get the equipment they need and which local authorities don’t provide.

She chose the charity because she has benefited from being given equipment to help her cope with her condition, which was diagnosed when Kaci was 15-months-old.

Kym said: “Kaci would love to raise as much as possible for Newlife because specialist equipment is extortionate.

“We know someone who had a specialist car seat with the help of NewLife and that cost just short of £700.

Hopefully the money raised will halp more that one family.”

Kaci, who has an older sister called Millie, is determined to make it all the way.

Her mum added: “It’s going to be very hard work for Kaci as her legs fatigue easily so I think she will be glad that on the way back it will be downhill for the most part.

“As a family we are so proud and constantly inspired by Kaci and as for her birthday wish to help others it just shows what type of character she is.

“She always chooses kindness even when her life and other children haven’t always been kind to her.”

Almost £1,500 has already been pledged on Kaci’s online fundraising page.

Go to https://uk.gofundme.com/f/kaci039s-sponsored-walk to sponsor her.

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