A TEENAGE girl from Haverfordwest who suffered life-changing injuries is recovering with the help of new technology bought with help from fundraising efforts of a volunteer running team.

The family of Shannon Folena received a cheque for £4,032 from the Run for Shannon team on Thursday, December 21 to help pay for special medical equipment.

Shannon was left unable to walk or communicate after a traffic collision in 2014, but the 15-year-old is now using her MOLLI suit: a state-of-the-art, rehabilitation garment which uses electrical stimulation to help develop her movement and muscle control.

Fiona Folena, Shannon’s mother said: “The MOLLI suit is working quite well. We are now raising money for a computer to go on her wheelchair which will act as a communication aid.”

To raise the money, 60 people took part in the Run for Shannon relay race on Saturday, October 7, between Swansea and Haverfordwest.

Each of the runners ran a mile, passing a relay baton onto the next runner as they went, with Shannon’s dad Paul running the final mile into Haverfordwest.

Mike Sutton-Smith, who organised the relay, said: “We were delighted by the response of the whole community really.

“People from all across the community, in particular Haverfordwest and Pembrokeshire, really believed in it and their sponsorship was overwhelming. We were blown away.”

The Run for Shannon team set a fundraising goal of £3,000, and the extra money raised will help fund Shannon’s new communication aid.

“It is wonderful to think that a team of 60 runners running only one mile each can achieve a miracle and do something really significant that no one of us could do alone.”

“The public response has been amazing. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who gave and ran,” added Mike, who is also a pastor at Lifepoint Church.