ALICE Newton’s disability will no longer stop her enjoying the beach near her Mersea home, thanks to the generosity of islanders.

They have clubbed together to buy Alice a £4,800 all-terrain wheelchair so her condition, spinal muscular atrophy, does not keep her off the beach.

The condition causes muscle weakness and progressive loss of movement and meant even though Alice, eight, lives close to the beach, she needed a lot of help to get on the sand.

Yesterday, however, she was enjoying the spring sunshine at the water’s edge, after an appeal by her mum, Karen, bore fruit.

Mrs Newton said: “It’s absolutely fantastic.

“When we launched the appeal in January, it was right after Christmas and I thought that would affect it, but it really didn’t.

“I was surprised because I didn’t knowhow it was going to go. People have been amazing.”

As a result of the appeal, the family now has use of not one, but two special wheelchairs – one of which can not only get Alice on to the beach, but into the sea.

Rotarian and family friend Paul Button has persuaded Essex County Council to lend the family the second chair, under a scheme which helps disabled children enjoy short breaks.

As well as help from dozens of people in the community, 111 people also donated to the fund online.

Mrs Newtown said: “Alice finally used one of them for the first time today and she loved it.

It was a sunny day, too.”

The family set about trying to raise the money to buy the special wheelchair, after spotting them while on holiday in north Devon.

Although Alice copes with her condition, she has been unable to walk since last May.

This had meant she could no longer enjoy Mersea beach with her mum, dad, Roger, and brother, Harvey. The arrival of the wheelchairs will not just help Alice, as the Newtons are offering to make them available to any disabled child whowants to go enjoy the beach.

Islander Paula Moore and daughter Georgia, ten, are among those who will benefit.

Mrs Newton said: “The one Georgia was trying out can go in the water, which is fantastic.

“These are available to anyone who needs them.”

Parents can contact Mrs Newton on 01206 383855, or 07946 888063.