28343/1A LITTLE boy from Melksham has donated his pocket money to help his schoolfriend get the wheelchair she desperately needs.

When four-year-old Kieran Cousins saw a picture of Nina Leonard, also four, in the Wiltshire Times he ran straight to his piggy bank to see if he could help in the fundraising drive.

Kieran's mum, Louise, said: "I was quite surprised but he is very like that. He is a very caring little boy and he loves Nina and would do anything for her. He has a heart of gold."

Kieran and Nina are both pupils at Lowbourne Nursery School and the little boy presented Nina's mother, Elaine, with a handful of coins at the school.

Mrs Leonard, of Eden Grove, Whitley, said: "It was just so touching. I cried all the way home, and it was totally his own idea with no prompting at all."

Nina has touched the hearts of Wiltshire Times readers around the county and many have sent in donations or offered to

organise events to raise the money the little girl needs.

Nina has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair but she has outgrown the one she has been using and her parents need to raise at least £1,000 for a suitable replacement.

Mrs Leonard and her husband Phillip have also learned this week that the specialised mattress they are also trying to raise funds for will need to be used with a specialised bed if Nina is to get the best from it, which will cost another £1,700 on top of the £1,300 needed for the mattress.

Two local charities, Special Needs of Wiltshire and Tender Loving Care, are in the process of putting proposals to help Nina to their committees, while individuals, groups and schools are all organising events ranging from cricket matches to car boot sales to help.

This week Mrs Leonard has been contacted by the Lacock Beavers, Shaw School, The George Ward School, Trowbridge firms Reed and Airofreem and has also been presented with a cheque for £50 from Keevil couple, Mr and Mrs Banfield.

Football team the North Bradley Saints are organising a cricket match to be played in two weeks, with proceeds to go to the fund.

Mrs Leonard said: "It is hard to take that step of saying we cannot provide everything our child needs. We are just so appreciative of the efforts people are making, it is absolutely fantastic."

Nina's parents also hope their situation will help raise awareness of how difficult it can be to cope with a disabled child, not just emotionally but financially.

Mrs Leonard said: "It is a very, very difficult life lesson. There are other people out there who are worse off than us and if we are struggling, my heart goes out to them."

Anyone who would like to make a donation or organise an event can contact the Wiltshire Times newsdesk on (01225) 352491.