An appeal to buy life changing communication equipment for a Haverfordwest girl has nearly reached the half way mark.

Last week’s Western Telegraph featured the story of 12-year-old Shannon Folena, who was seriously injured on Freemens Way nearly a year ago when she was involved in a collision with a car.

The former Sir Thomas Picton School pupil sustained serious head injuries which have left her unable to move independently or communicate. She requires round the clock care, provided by her parents, siblings and a team of carers.

Family friend Georgina Horton-Jones has set up a Crowdfunder page to try and raise £5,000 to purchase an eye gazer; a type of computer which would eventually allow Shannon to communicate by moving her eyes. Any money left over would go towards sensory equipment which would enrich Shannon’s environment.

Since the story appeared in the Western Telegraph the appeal’s total has gone up to £2,456, with 141 people all pledging cash to help Shannon on her road to recovery.

The eye gazer is the only method that Shannon could use to communicate with her loved ones, and her mother Fiona and father Paul are desperate for renewed contact with her.

“It would be a massive change it would really help Shannon,” said Paul. “She can hear but we are not sure if she can understand what we are saying. At the moment it’s just a guessing game.

“We want to get her back as much as possible. Just to communicate would be great.”

Georgina said she was delighted with the response the appeal has had so far: “It’s been amazing. It’s really humbling to know that people will support people they don’t know,” she said.

“For the family to raise that money on their own, it’s unthinkable that they would have to do this by themselves.

“I wasn’t expecting it to take off like it has. The more awareness we can raise the better. We have even had local businesses getting in touch asking for collecting tins.”

Georgina is also planning to carry out a series of fundraising events to help raise money for the family. She will take part in her own version of the three peaks challenge this summer and is urging anybody who would like to join her to get in touch.

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