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Pewsham Pre-school children with manager Karen Allen and Alex Purdy centre back, and their cheque for St Nicholas School

MENINGITIS survivor Alexander Purdy will soon have the specialist equipment that will improve his life.

The four-year-old, of Provis Mead, Chippenham, needs a medical standing frame to help his digestive system and improve his bone structure after contracting pneumococcal meningitis when he was two.

The condition left him severly brain damaged and wheelchair-bound.

His family have campaigned since last year to raise the £3,000 they needed to buy the equipment, which will be housed at St Nicholas School, which Alexander attends.

The money was raised by friends and family members, the school and Pewsham pre-school, which recently raised £1,000 after holding a sponsored cycle.

Alexander's mum, Louise, said: "I have been flabbergasted with the huge response we have had to help Alex.

"After the Gazette ran an article on our appeal we have been inundated with kind support from a number of people. As with any disabled child, Alex has his good days and bad days, but he is currently doing well.

"The target for the standing frame was achieved so quickly that some people did not get a chance to fund-raise but still wanted to help Alex in some way.

"After liaison with St Nicholas School it was quickly agreed that the best way to further support Alex and his schoolmates was to raise money to help refurbish the multi-sensory room in the school.

"Much of the multi-sensory equipment dates back to when the school opened and really needs upgrading. Me and my family have been touched by the huge amount of support from the local community and would like to personally thank everyone for their efforts."

After being in hospital for several months and living in a rehabilitation unit in Surrey for more than a year, Alexander was finally allowed home last year and started at St Nicholas School.

Alexander, who also suffers from a severe form of epilepsy resulting in a high number of seizures, accepted the cheque from Pewsham pre-school last Friday.

Pre-school manager Karen Allen said: "Alexander's sister Ellie comes to the pre-school and we felt like we had to do something to help.

"We held a sponsored ride where the children brought in their bikes and scooters and cycled five times around the playground. We even had children donating their pocket money, which was truly touching."

2:18pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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