The gift of freedom

THE volunteer-run Barton Hill Rugby Club Charity Cafe handed over new electric wheelchairs to the youngsters to give them more independence, after raising thousands of pounds to buy them. It brought the total number of families the cafe’s volunteers and customers have supported during 2022 to seven.

In December, the cafe made a presentation to seven-year-old Izzy Probert, from Hengrove, who was joined by her mum and dad and brother Harry.

Mum Elly said: “Thank you so much to Barton Hill RFC Charity Cafe and Taylor Made Wheelchairs for giving Izzy her new wheels and her independence. She is one happy little lady.”

Cafe volunteer Mandy Bryant added: “Izzy is a natural driver, and was whizzing around the car park in no time!”

Mandy thanked all of the cafe’s volunteers and supporters, including Fare Share South West, Fare Share Go, Tesco and the Co-op, Greggs Kingswood, Morrisons in Fishponds and BAM Construction.

Pictured above right: Izzy Probert with her new wheelchair