Brave Evie gets the keys to new motor

A HUGE fundraising drive that got underway last year to purchase a wheelchair accessible car for a brave Northside girl has ended in a heartwarming success story.

Just over a year ago, Evie Lawlor (5), from Donnycarney, was diagnosed with a devastating neurodegenerative disorder.

‘Vanishing White Matter’ (VWM) is a Leukodystrophy, a slow progressive disease affecting all of Evie’s motor skills.

A 10-strong committee, known as the Friends of Evie group, set up a campaign to raise

?¬29,000 for a specially adapted car to suit Evie’s needs. The campaign proved to be a huge success and over

?¬35,000 was raised.

Last Thursday, a delighted Evie and her parents Pascal and Lisa, in the presence of family members and friends, were handed the keys to a Peugeot Partner Horizon car at OC Cars & Mobility, Howth Road, Clontarf.

Brian Furlong, a spokesperson for Friends of Evie, told Northside People:

“Evie’s parents, Lisa and Pascal, were so overwhelmed with all the people who turned up for the event, it was hard not to shed a tear.

“Pascal thanked everybody on the committee who worked so hard to achieve the target set, which he thought at the start was unachievable.

“It started as a query regarding the price of the

‘Chariot’ back in August and now that it’s here, it is a tremendous achievement for everybody who contributed to the fund. Pascal and Lisa were quite emotional throughout the event.

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Mr Furlong said Evie could not wait to get into the car and try it out.

“You could see from the beautiful beaming smile on her face, she was thrilled,

? he said.

“Lisa said that this is going to make Evie’s life so much easier and a lot more comfortable for all the family.

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Local celebrity and songwriter, Pete St John, was among those who attended the event to offer his support. Mr Furlong would like to thank everybody who contributed to the fundraising campaign, his fellow committee members, helpers, sponsors and OC Cars & Mobility for their generous support.