LITTLE Oscar Moulding has proved he has a big heart after he managed to raise £2,000 to send a special wheelchair to his disabled friend in Bosnia with the gift arriving just in time to welcome the New Year.

The nine-year-old Robert Le Kyng Primary School pupil, who has muscular dystrophy like Sophija, only set out to raise £800 through a number of fundraisers to ship the £9,500 motorised wheelchair to his pal after outgrowing it.

But with more money pouring in than he expected, the youngster was able to make sure the chair was in tip-top condition as well as helping Sophija’s parents with the costs of adapting the seat.

Oscar’s mum Alexandra, 40 said: “Raising the money happened so quickly and we raised the amount we needed to send the wheelchair almost immediately and then more money kept coming in.

“I didn’t expect to raise the amount we did. We have done some fundraisers before for a minibus for Oscar’s school so I know people are very kind and generous. A lot of people want to help and I think that is partly because you want to but also by doing something good it makes you feel good.”

Alexandra first become in touch with Sophija’s family many years ago through a Facebook group for parents of children with Oscar’s condition – merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy.

The family were helped with Our Kids Foundation with paperwork and making sure the wheelchair arrived safely. Since then, Oscar and his family have been lucky enough to Skype Sophija to see her using the wheelchair.

Alexandra said the delivery of the chair on Oscar’s birthday felt like fate - and a day the family will cherish for a long time.

She added: “There were quite a few delays in trying to get the chair there with paperwork and customs at both ends but then we had an email on New Year’s Eve, which is Oscar’s birthday, saying they had got the chair and it was just brilliant to hear.

“I think it is perfect timing for her to get the chair on Oscar’s birthday which will let her start a new chapter in her life,” the mum said.

“It has definitely been an emotional journey and it is such a lovely story that has a brilliant ending.”