Jadene just thrilled withher new bike

Two weeks ago, the Littlehampton Gazette reported that a trike belonging to Jadene Wallace, who suffers from the rare genetic skin condition epidermolysis bullosa (EB), or butterfly skin, was stolen from outside her East Preston home just before Christmas, leaving her with no other way of getting out with her friends.

Within hours of the paper hitting the streets, a Littlehampton couple, who have asked not to be named, and members of the Littlehampton Lions’ Club had called the Gazette office, offering to pay for a new trike. Each paid half the cost, and Jadine’s new wheels were presented to her on Saturday.

Mum Jacki said she was “completely gobsmacked” by the offer.

“We thought that by it going in the paper, we could shame whoever it was who took it. I never even thought that someone would offer to buy her a new one.

“We had told her that we would not be able to get her another one, so when we told her about it, she was so excited.

“We just can’t believe it. That there are still kind, considerate, generous people out there. They have made her year.”

The anonymous donors, a retired couple, said that they didn’t want any publicity.

“We have never really had much, but have always said that if we had money, we would like to help someone who needed it,” they said.

“We recently inherited some money, not a lot, but enough to help. We are just glad Jadene is happy, and sorry that her life has been put on hold by despicable thieves. They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.”

Jaki added that Jadene, whose skin is so delicate it is like paper, and rips and tears easily, couldn’t sleep on Friday night.

“She knew that it was coming Saturday morning, so she went to bed really early to make it come quicker, but she was too excited and didn’t get to sleep until midnight!”

Austen Beard, of the Lions, said seeing her face when he unloaded the trike was all the thanks he needed.

“We saw the paper, and just wanted to put a smile back on that little girl’s face.

“She was so excited, so was on it and she was away with her friend. It makes what we do all worthwhile.

He added he, too, was angry with the thieves. “It is a horrible thought that someone who must have lived close and knew her condition would take her trike.”

Jacki went on to say that she didn’t really know how to thank the Lions and the mystery couple.

“A huge, massive thank-you. It is unbelievable. Thank you.”