A Dunmow resident has pledged to donate £1,000 to help a four-year-old girl walk after reading her mother’s heartfelt plea in the Broadcast last week.

Michael Gold, who is a retained firefighter in the town, was so touched by Olivia Bowyer’s story that he wanted to contribute towards the £5,000 costs of intense physiotherapy which could change her life.

The youngster, who lives in Petches Bridge, Great Bardfield, suffers from global development delay and has the skill set of an 18-month-old. She is unable to walk independently or speak clearly.

Her parents, Raymond, 49, and Debbie, 40, have been warned that if she is not taking steps on her own by the time she is five in June she may never be able to.

Mr Gold, 37, who read the story while at his friend’s house, said: “This is all about the community and as I have some money from an acicdent, I am in a position where I can donate. I have two sons, Ross Primett, 14, and Daniel Gold, four, and I thought if anything ever happened to them I hope people would help out.”

He added: “Hopefully this will get the ball rolling.”

Debbie and Raymond are trying to raise the money to pay for six months of Spider Therapy, at Kids Physio 2 U, in Colchester, which could enable Olivia to take steps on her own, and to fund speech and language therapy.

Since the article the Broadcast and Debbie have been inundated with calls and e-mails from people willing to do what they can for the tot.

Debbie’s son Jack Thwaites, 12, is arranging with his school, Helena Romanes, in Great Dunmow, to have a non-uniform day and a sponsored silence to raise money.

The Great Dunmow Round Table haw been in touch with ideas to help and the Town Team are also making arrangements to boost funds. Countless numbers of residents have also been in contact asking how they can donate.

Debbie said: “Ever since the story came out everyone has been contacting us with ideas to help Olivia. It is just amazing how generous and willing people are to help our wonderful little girl.

“I keep wanting to burst into tears because I am in so much shock, it has been an emotional rollercoaster. I never expected a response like this.”

To donate to Olivia’s cause visit justgiving.com/OliviaNeedsYou or text OBOW49 to 70070 with the amount you wish to give.