Staff at Langlands Garden Centre have helped a local girl born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus  to raise £8,000 for a new electric powerchair.

Emma Hodson, 14, had her first operation when she was just 16 hours old. Although she relies on a wheelchair full time, she regularly enjoys taking part in wheelchair races with Leeds City athletics club and powerchair football with Hull and East Riding Electric Eels.

When they found out Emma was hoping to raise £8,000 for her own powerchair, staff at Langlands got involved in a number of fundraising activities, including a family fun day at Goodmanham Dale.

It wasn’t all fun and games though.  Langlands director James Ducker took part in the Yorkshire Tough Mudder event in July at Broughton Hall alongside his colleague Claire Share to raise £1200, bringing the total raised by Langlands Garden Centre to a £3182.74.

James said: “Emma’s father Ian is a team member at Langlands in Shiptonthorpe, so when we heard about Emma’s appeal we knew we wanted to do whatever we could to help.

“Staff really committed to the cause and it’s fantastic to know that the money we raised has helped give Emma the final push to not only reach but surpass her goal. We’re so pleased that she will soon be able to enjoy the freedom of having her own powerchair!”

Picture shows (l-r): Michelle Hathway, Emma Hodson, Langlands Director James Ducker and colleague Claire Share.