THE campaign to raise money for a motorised wheelchair for two-year-old Josh Winsborrow who was born with spinal muscular atrophy, was an inspiring example of dedication and selfless devotion to others.
It was three Teignmouth women who took on the work, after they heard of the Winsborrows' need to find £9,500 as soon as possible.
Jane Snell, a colleague of Lisa's at Boots in Teignmouth, had the original brainwave for a series of fundraising events, and roped in Jackie Pile, another colleague, to help her.
The pair then enlisted Valerie Tooley, Jackie's mother, as bookkeeper, treasurer and draw organiser.
The fundraising started in June this year, with a perfume auction for Boots' staff held at Valerie's home in Mill Lane.
'That raised the fantastic sum of £1,123, and was a wonderful start to the appeal,' said Valerie.
The next event was to be a 60s and 70s theme night with a live band, The Quest – booked at cost – at Teignmouth Rugby Club on August 30.
Tickets started selling the moment they were printed.
'More than 100 had been sold in the first few days and it was still only the beginning of July. Eventually we had to hire a marquee to accommodate the numbers,' said Valerie. 'Jane and Jackie had the mammoth task of getting draw prizes. They badgered every business in town, but the bit they enjoyed most was going into the pubs in the evenings – but not every evening or they would have been heading for divorces.
'I was in waiting for them when they returned to see what "goodies" they had bullied the publicans into giving. I felt like a mistress waiting for my girls to return and hand over the takings.'
Nearly 150 draw prizes were on offer by the night of the dance, and more than 400 dance tickets had been sold, a tribute to the generosity of Teignmouth's businesses and individuals.
Other funds came in a variety of ways.
The Chordettes donated the draw money from their show, Lloyd Maunder's gave their profits from the carnival barbecue, Sheila and Brian Tibbs ran a draw, Crystal Cave raffled jewellery and a teddy, Martin Ryan and Tony Nicholls raised £265 by walking from Haytor to Teignmouth, and a Boots staff quiz night brought in more than £400.
Unfortunately, the champagne had to be put away at a planned cheque presentation evening in September after Josh suffered a broken leg in an accident.
But by November 4, Josh was out of hospital, and he took delivery of the wheelchair, with the fund standing at £7,819.69.
Valerie said: 'On that day, Jane, Jackie and I went to see Josh with his new "Vroom". It was wonderful to see the independence it has given him, and we hope that the chair will give him good service for many years to come.
'Good luck to Josh and his family, and a big thank you has to go to all those who so generously gave prizes, money and time. Well done everyone.'