Jordan Henderson helps to buy wheelchair for inspiring little girl with spina bifida

Brave Rubie O’Brien from Southwick has undergone multiple operations on her legs, hips and feet to help with her mobility after being born with spina bifida.

The condition is caused when a baby’s spine and spinal cord don’t develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine.

But the Grange Park Primary pupil hasn’t let her health struggles hold her back and from the age of two has used a wheelchair to move freely.

Now aged six, Rubie’s growth spurt meant that needed a bigger wheelchair to maintain her independence.

However, the RGK Tiga Junior wheelchair that she required cost £4,095, meaning that mum Ciara Heffernan and partner David Hoskins were left looking for ways to raise the vital funds.

Launching an online appeal, the family were left overwhelmed when £3,421 poured in within just eight days.

But it was footballer Jordan Henderson who helped to raise the final £550 after donating the boots he wore in the 2012 UEFA European championships which were then auctioned for the cause.

Now Rubie has received her pink and purple wheelchair, another milestone in her health journey.

Mum Ciara said: “Jordan Henderson’s boots raised £550 which meant that more than £4,000 was raised in total for the fund in just 10 days.

“The wheelchair arrived on September 30 and we went straight down to the school to drop it off and Rubie used it straight away.

“Rubie is amazing, she just gets on with it and is always smiling!”

Rubie’s ability to adapt has seen her quickly take to playing wheelchair basketball at school under the guidance of coaches from Tees Valley Mohawks.

Mum Ciara first heard of the sessions available in schools during a demonstration for the new wheelchair and later contacted Rubie’s school to see if they would be able to take part.

Grange Park Primary were keen to get on board and since then Rubie has been taking part in a six week course and ‘loves’ the experience of being on an equal playing field with her classmates.

Ciara added: "It’s been really good for Rubie’s confidence and been a really good experience for the other children."

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