THE family of brain-injured Haverfordwest school girl Shannon Folena has been overwhelmed by the public’s response to an appeal to buy her specialist communication equipment.

A year ago this weekend, 12-year-old Shannon was seriously hurt on Freemens Way following a collision with a car. The accident left her unable to move independently or communicate, and she requires round-the-clock care.

Family friend Georgina Horton-Jones set up a Crowdfunder page to try and raise £5,000 to purchase an eye gazer; a type of computer which could allow Shannon to communicate by moving her eyes.

“I had no idea the appeal would go as well as it has,” said Georgina. “It’s nice to know that at times like this the community will pull together, and more people are coming forward saying they want to do even more fundraising for Shannon.”

Georgina’s appeal raised £3,857.62, and other fundraising events are in the pipeline.

In order to get the eye-gazer to Shannon as soon as possible, Prince’s Gate Spring Water paid for half of it and loaned the family the other half of the money, which will be paid back from the appeal. The system has arrived and will be set up this week.

Shannon’s parents Fiona and Paul hope to use the leftover funds to buy their daughter sensory equipment, and create a sensory garden for her to enjoy.

“Everyone just wants to help us,” said Fiona. “We didn’t expect so much support, and we are overwhelmed and overjoyed. We wouldn’t be able to afford any of these things on our own.”

Since coming out of hospital, Shannon has started to squeeze people’s hands and make some eye contact.

“We take one day at a time,” said Paul. “Our two other children find it hard, and we’ve all had to make adjustments, but we’re always hopeful and we try to be happy. It’s difficult, but whatever we go through is nothing to what Shannon has gone through.”

“We miss her giggle,” Fiona added. “We’d love to hear it again.”

An auction and fun afternoon for Shannon will be held in Bethesda Chapel Hall, Neyland, at 1pm on Saturday (March 28). The auction starts at 1.30pm. A ‘Sing For Shannon’ night is planned for June, at Haverfordwest’s Castle Hotel.

For more information visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-shannon-with-her-long-recovery-ahead.