A YOUNG girl with an incurable illness has been given a new electronic wheelchair. Sarah Bagley, 13, was diagnosed at the age of two with chronic juvenile arthritis and has needed the aid of a manual wheelchair to get around.

Sarah, a student at Rainham Grammar School for Girls, who lives with her parents and three sisters in Chaffinch Close, Walderslade, has great difficult walking, and needs constant care and attention. But the chairman of Medway's arthritic research campaign, Terry Barnard, has handed over the wheelchair that will change her life.

Mrs Barnard said: "The look on her face when she received the wheelchair was amazing. This will really turn her life around. It will give her mobility and a degree of independence."

The £2,500 wheelchair was funded by donations, including a massive £1000 gift from a Medway man who wishes to remain anonymous. Sarah was received the gift at a party attended by Mr and Mrs Barnard, Medway Mayor Tony Goulden and Keith Plumb, of Charterwood Mobility.

Mrs Barnard said; "We would like to thank everyone who made a donation. We hope this wheelchair gives Sarah the freedom to go out and about on her own."