GENEROUS members of the community in Clifton have clubbed together to raise nearly £500 for the family of a six-year-old boy who was paralysed in a horrific road crash.
Karen Humble, founder of local charity Clifton Community and Family Support Group, organised the collection after hearing of the plight of schoolboy Kamari Parker.
The youngster was struck by a car as he crossed the road outside Clifton Leisure Centre on Southchurch Drive, leaving him paralysed from the waist down.
The donation will go towards the family's travel costs to visit Kamari, who is due to begin rehabilitation at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire next week.
Karen, of Dovecote Road in Clifton, said: "I'm a mum myself, so when I heard what happened it really struck a chord.
"It's one of those things where you think it could easily have been my child outside the leisure centre that day.
"People in the community were asking how he was and wanted to know what they could do to help.
"So I decided that the charity would fundraise for the family, to help them in whatever way we could."
Over the course of four weeks, Karen appealed to the community for donations of clothes, toys and household items, which were then auctioned off on Facebook.
The appeal raised a total of £465.
Karen, 35, added: "Everybody in Clifton is very generous. We had all sorts donated – from desks, tables and chairs to toys and shoes.
"Everyone knew that the family would have a lot of expenses to pay out, like travelling to the hospital, so were really keen to help.
"It just goes to show how the people of Clifton pull together in times like this."
Karen handed over the money to Kamari's mum, Lisa Gilman, who said she was "overwhelmed" by the community's generosity.
The 44-year-old said: "I'd like to say a big thank you to the Clifton Community and Family Support Group for raising this money to help with my costs to and from hospital.
"I didn't even know about the charity before this, but it's amazing to see how we've been supported by so many people.
"The doctors and nurses at the QMC who have been treating Kamari have also been amazing. I can't thank everyone enough for all the help and support we've been given."
Miss Gilman said Kamari was making good progress and would be starting rehabilitation next Wednesday Nov 3.
The family is also working closely with local MP Pat Ferguson in a bid to improve road safety outside Clifton Leisure Centre.
