Former FHS pupil Ava Morton-Cutt, who left school in Year 6, is now enjoying the benefits of her off-road wheelchair, as seen on a family holiday earlier this year.

Ava developed a rare illness called Metachromatic Leukodystrophy in 2012, which is a rare inherited disorder affecting her ability to walk. Ava is no longer able to participate in activities that she used to love, namely horseriding and countryside walks.

The Friends of the Junior School and the Old Girls' Alumni Association donated money to Ava's family so that she could buy a specially-designed 'off-road' wheelchair, enabling Ava to enjoy activities that she used to freely participate in. A letter from Ava and her family can be read below:

Dear Friends of Francis Holland,
Please extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the girls, parents, staff and Friends of FHS who so generously gifted Ava this brilliant ‘off-road’ wheelchair.

It was an incredibly kind and thoughtful gesture and one which has allowed Ava to enjoy some of the things she loves most, but which she has found tricky to access since losing her mobility.

We have already used it on the beach during a fantastic trip to the Maldives at Easter (our first family holiday in almost 3 years!) and at an exciting day of horse racing in the Warwickshire countryside.

The wheelchair really has given Ava a much greater sense of freedom and we are looking forward to using it for many more activities over the coming weekends and holidays.

Ava is very well and enjoying life. She is settled and happy at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital School. She has many lovely memories of her friends and her time at FHS and hopes to pop in to say hello soon!

With our very best wishes
Ava Morton-Cutt & Family