Community raises funds for wheelchair accessible van for local girl

New wheels – Scarlett Dekorte of Fergus poses with the new wheelchair accessible van her family purchased with $56,000 raised from the community after extended family held a fundraising cycling trip to Goderich and back on June 12.

“We are so incredibly grateful and astounded at the outpouring of love and financial support for our family,” mom Melody Dekorte wrote in an email. “2020 was a difficult year for many of us and especially so for our family as our daughter lost the ability to walk, setting off a cascade of needs to be addressed. Centre Wellington is the best place to live and this was affirmed again by your generosity and help during a very difficult time. Thank you does not seem adequate to express the depth of gratitude we have for our family, friends, and community rallying around us. Every time I drive it I can feel the backing of our community shoring us up. Although Scarlett still has Rett syndrome, this helped take away some of the physical and financial strain in our lives. We are forever grateful. Over 250 donors made this happen, many anonymous or complete strangers to us. Thank you!”