YOU'VE done it! Generous Evening News readers have taken less than five days to raise the money needed to buy a sick city youngster an electric wheelchair.

Kind-hearted people have dug deep into their pockets to help five-year-old Hannah Jones.

Her family needed to raise between £2,500 and £3,000 to fund the chair and among those touched by the tot's plight was courageous youngster David Phillips, who was flown to America for a life-saving lung cast.

David, who made the trip abroad after the Evening News highlighted his appeal last year, agreed with his parents to donate £1,000 to Hannah from his own fund.

He was told in September he had only six months to live because of heart and lung problems.

He is now on the road to recovery but faces follow-up treatment in America in April and will eventually need a heart transplant because only half his heart is working.

His parents Mark and Jayne Phillips are still collecting and are set to change the name of the appeal to Fund a Family, so they can help other causes like David's.

Hannah also faces a heart transplant, but in the meantime her parents want to buy her an electric chair to improve her quality of life.

Craig Pinches, who jointly owns Bushwackers, in Trinity Street, Worcester, with his brother Darren, today pledged to make up any shortfall for the chair.

"Whatever is needed for the chair, I'll make up the difference," he said.

Hannah's mum, Kirsty, of Nuffield Close, St John's, said she was "touched" by everyone's effort.

"To be honest I'm absolutely amazed the money has been raised in less than a week," she said.

"This has restored my faith in human nature. The people of Worcester have pulled together in just five days.

"I'm really touched. David's gesture was very kind and it's wonderful Bushwackers have offered to help too."

Hannah could not be given an electric wheelchair by the NHS because of its policy on chairs for children.

However, West Midlands firm Keep Able Ltd can provide a specially-suited chair.

Hannah appeal could benefit other children

KIND Worcester people are still pledging money to help fill the coffers of the Hannah Jones appeal.

Enough cash has now been raised to buy the youngster an electric wheelchair.

But Hannah's parents Andrew and Kirsty, who aimed to raise between £2,500 and £3,000 to buy the five-year-old an electric chair, say any extra cash will be used to help other youngsters in need.

Mrs Jones, of Nuffield Close, St John's, is delighted that the money has been found so quickly.

"It looks as though we'll have even more than we need for the chair," she said.

"We're hoping to get mobility allowance so that we can buy a special vehicle to transport Hannah in.

"It would be great if the extra money could be used for a ramp. If there is any left over after that we would like to use the cash to help other children."

David Phillips, who is also in need of a heart transplant, pledged £1,000 from his own appeal fund to help Hannah.

"I think it's great an 11-year-old can think of helping another child that much," said Mrs Jones.

"Having been through the sort of ordeal Hannah has, he obviously appreciates how much difference it could make. He probably wants to pass on the help to us."

David's mother Jayne, of Venn Lane, Wichenford, said it was his idea to donate the money.

"David read the Evening News and asked if I could do some fund-raising for them so I asked why he didn't donate some from his fund," she said.

"He said it was a good idea and the bank agreed."

FACTFILE

OFFERS to support the Hannah Jones appeal fund have been made by pubs, groups, individual and firms during the fund-raising week.

Tuesday:

* Regulars at The Fox pub, Pitmaston Road, St John's, pledges £500.

* Ten-year-old Leukaemia Research Princess Claire Thomas, of Windsor Avenue, St John's, offers to help out at fund-raising events.

* Derek Hussell, of Lansdowne Rise, Worcester, asks if banks will accept foreign coins.

* Graham Smith, of Tolladine Road, plans a skittle evening in aid of Hannah.

Wednesday:

* The Blackpole Inn, Blackpole Road, pledges £500.

Thursday:

* Staff at One on One Fitness Centre, St John's, organise two fatigues classes and a Pokemon swap morning for Sunday, September 3.

* The 1st Leigh St Edburga Guides pledges £50 to the cause.

* Youngster David Phillips offers £1,000 from his own fund.

Friday:

* Leukaemia Care Society offers its support and may be able to pledge funds.

* Kevin Devlin, who works for White Arrow, Norton, organises a sponsored head shave.

* Craig Pinches, of Bushwackers, offers to make up the difference for Hannah's chair.