A WOMAN suffering from autism is in a race against time to raise £2,000 so she can keep a horse which has transformed her life.

Chippenham’s Lillith Campbell was unable to leave the house or speak with anyone due to her condition but after loaning Meg almost a year ago her life has changed for the better.

But the 25-year-old must find £2,000 by May 23 so that she can purchase the 14-year-old mare as her own or risks losing her.

“I could barely talk to people or look them in the eye, I couldn’t tell someone how my day was and I couldn’t go out on my own because I was worried what people were thinking about me,” said Miss Campbell.

“I’ve had horses all my life because my mother had them but I’ve never had one of my own and I thought having one would help me. I saw the picture of Meg on Gumtree and she looked so sad and really scrawny.

“I was told that she would bolt, that she reared and was pretty uncontrollable so I didn’t ride her for six months because I wanted to make sure she trusted me. She took a liking to me, if she sees me she waits by the gate.

“I think it’s because we were both broken and she took me from a dark place.”

She has set up a fundraising page which has already raised £1,000. She will donate any excess money to an autism charity.

She also wants to spread the word on how horses or other animals can help people with autism. “I feel it’s not just about me, most of the world struggles with autism,” she added.

“A horse just sees a person, they feel emotion and take it from body language. Meg built that emotional bridge for me.

“Every time I saw a donation it was that overwhelming I broke down in tears.

“If I was going to set up a charity it would help children and adults go to therapy as medication covers it up but doesn’t help overcome it.”

Make a donation, at: gofundme.com/megandlily