In a remarkable display of seasonal goodwill, a primary school teacher's mission to buy an electric wheelchair for one of her pupils has soared past its £13,000 target, transforming a young boy's life.
A Teacher's Pledge for Independence
Billie Pitchford, a Year 5 teacher at Flying High Academy on Ladybrook Estate in Mansfield, launched a JustGiving crowdfunding page in November. Her goal was to help her pupil, Ravi Indrasena, secure a new electric wheelchair to aid his transition to secondary school. Ravi's family, originally from Sri Lanka and in the UK on a work visa, were unable to access funding for the vital equipment.
"We felt Ravi would benefit greatly from using an electric wheelchair to access school independently," explained Billie, after discussing the move with Ravi's mother, Rangani Handagala, who works at Kings Mill Hospital. The class united behind the cause, creating the fundraising page and sharing it via school apps and social media.
An Unexpected Viral Boost
The campaign gained steady support from the school community, with pupils like Lorrellie, Lorretta, Olivia-Jayne, Jessie, Robyn, and Zack raising £160 at the Christmas fair. However, the effort received a game-changing boost on Friday, December 12.
Late that evening, Billie's inbox flooded with donation notifications. "The total had jumped to £9,451 almost instantly," she recalled, noting many anonymous donations marked with ninja emojis. A colleague soon discovered that comedian Jason Manford had shared the page as part of an anonymous 'Charity Ninja' initiative he supports.
Within just 90 minutes of Manford's post, the £13,000 target was not just met but comprehensively surpassed, with donations continuing to pour in.
A Life-Changing Revelation
Billie, who was leaving the school in December after a decade of service, arranged a special assembly on the Monday morning to reveal the news to Ravi, his mother, and the whole class. "You could have heard a pin drop," she described. Teaching assistants and children were moved to tears as the total was announced.
"I can't believe I'm getting a new wheelchair," said an astonished Ravi. "It's going to change my experience of break and lunchtime at school." His mother, Rangani, expressed profound gratitude: "Being in a totally different country... we experienced the warmth from our community in the UK beyond words can express."
In a further celebratory gesture, Hippo Accountants donated £150 for Ravi's class to enjoy a pyjama party with pizza and hot chocolate on Thursday, December 18.
"This experience has shown the children - and all of us - the power of kindness, community, and social media when it is used for good," reflected Billie Pitchford. For Ravi, the campaign's success promises newfound freedom and a brighter, more independent future at school.
