'Charity Ninjas' help to hit target for young Ravi

TEACHER BILLIE IN TEARS AT GENEROSITY OF DONORS

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A TEACHER'S fundraising campaign to help a pupil buy a much-needed wheelchair has reached its £13,000 target.

Teacher Billie Pitchford, of Flying High Academy, Ladybrook, decided in November to launch a crowdfunding campaign for Year 5 pupil Ravi Indrasena.

The drive got an unexpected boost when comedian Jason Manford shared it on social media.

Billie said: "In November, I met with Ravi's mum, Rangani, and we discussed Ravi transitioning to secondary school. We felt Ravi would benefit greatly from using an electric wheelchair to access school independently."

The family is originally from Sri Lanka and in the UK on a work visa, with Rangani employed by King's Mill Hospital.

Billie said: "I explained that I would like to work with them to try and raise money to support Ravi. After returning to class, I spoke with pupils about Ravi's situation and asked Ravi what having an electric wheelchair would mean to him.