'Margot is like a typical six-year-old'

Schoolgirl delighted with wheelchair from charity

- BY HANNA GEISSLER Health Editor

SIX-year-old Margot Jones-Billington is in her element as she shows off her powered wheelchair from Whizz Kidz.

The children's charity stepped in to provide the vital device after the schoolgirl was denied one on the NHS because she can walk very short distances.

Her mother Laura, 34, said: "She wants to be like everybody else and do everything herself, so we were amazed when she was given the powered chair.

"Independence is the biggest thing for her. She can now drive it herself and go wherever she wants to go, do what she wants to do.

"She's less reliant on us and she gets to be more like a typical six-year-old. We can go on family days out and not have to worry about whether Margot can access things."

The Daily Express's Give the Gift of Childhood Christmas appeal is raising funds to support Whizz Kidz as it battles a huge demand and rising costs.

The charity was forced to close its waiting list earlier this year for the first time in 35 years. But the incredible generosity of our readers has raised hopes that it could be reopened in 2026.

Margot, of Northampton, is one of thousands of children who have benefitted from personalised, life-changing equipment.