IT IS wonderful to report the speedy success of the £9,000 appeal to buy little Jonty Smith a much-needed new wheelchair.

We are not quite sure what David Cameron’s Big Society idea actually means (in fact, we are not sure the Prime Minister knows either) but we suspect it has something to do with the big-hearted spirit shown by the people of Pershore.

They have raised the money to change four-year-old Jonty’s life for the better in less than two months.

It is a magnificent effort and we applaud them for it.

Jonty suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and left hemiplegia – meaning the limbs on his left side are severely weakened.

Yet he is a bright and bubbly boy with a huge independent streak. And it is his desire not to be left behind by his school friends that prompted the appeal to buy him a special powered wheelchair.

The response from the people of Pershore has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Jonty’s parents Jane and Ian have told before how they have been moved to tears by the kindness of strangers donating to the appeal, including one man who gave them a cheque for £1,000 while they were in the supermarket.

The story of Jonty’s appeal shows how people are willing to put their hands in their pockets to help good causes on their doorstep no matter the economic climate.

A special word of praise has to go to Trudy Burge, the appeal co-ordinator who has worked tirelessly to raise the money needed for Jonty’s wheelchair.

Now the youngster is likely to have his chair before the end of the year – and what a fantastic Christmas present that will be.