Funds raised for crippled schoolgirl Thusha Kamaleswaran have already helped buy her vital medical equipment.
The six-year-old, who was gunned down by gangsters while playing in her uncle’s shop, will need round-the-clock care for the rest of her life.
The fund set up by the Scotland Yard detectives who worked on her case, has now soared to £172,000.
Her parents, from Ilford, have already been able to buy a wheelchair specially adapted for her injuries as well as other equipment to help make her life easier at home.
Thusha’s heart stopped twice after she was shot at Stockwell Food and Wine store in March last year. She suffered severe spine injuries which have left her in constant pain and she is paralysed from the chest down.
Detective Constable Richard Williamson, one of the Trident officers who investigated her case, said: “The generosity that people have shown has completely blown us away.
“We have already been able to pay for things like a wheelchair that she needed and now we are looking at setting up a trust fund for her.
“It is amazing that the money has already gone towards making Thusha’s life easier. If we are able to get to £200,000 that would be great.”
The team is now preparing to do the Three Peaks challenge in September in a bid to boost funds further.
Last month, a charity party set up by two members of the public, helped raise £5,000 for the schoolgirl.
The event, including dinner, a Sri Lankan dance performance, singers and a magic show, was organised by Eshan Goonesekera, 45, from Chelsea, and his sister Shevanthie, 46, an advice counsellor, also from Chelsea.
In April, Nathaniel Grant, 21, who pulled the trigger, was sentenced to a minimum of 17 years. Kazeem Kolawole, 19, and Anthony McCalla, 20, were each given a minimum sentence of 14 years.
They were members of the Brixton Gas gang who had intended to shoot a member of a rival gang, cornering him in the shop where Thusha was playing, but hit her instead.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so via: The Thusha Appeal, HSBC Bank, 5 Wimbledon Hill Road, London SW19 7NF. Sort code 40-07-30 and account number 12239108.
