Natalie Dyball and her daughter Lillian, 7, who has mobility issues, got their second-hand wheelchair access modified car on Friday after a monumental public fundraising campaign. 

An emotional Ms Dyball said the car would change their lives.

“Lillian likes that she can stay in her wheelchair now,” said Ms Dyball, who had previously lifted her daughter into their smaller car, often several times a day.

“She likes that she doesn’t hit her head on the car (doorframe) any more!”

Lillian was born in Wodonga with a condition called arthrogryposis, meaning she has twisted joints and weak muscles and cannot walk unaided. 

Without her leg braces, shoes and socks, Lillian cannot bear any weight on her legs.

Launched in September, a public fundraiser for a wheelchair accessible car had reached $43,000 when Ms Dyball was offered an already modified Kia Carnivale for $55,000.

As the original fundraising target was $80,000, it was an offer too good to refuse.

“The car can take two wheelchairs,” Ms Dyball said.

“The owner was such a generous man; he drove it up from his home in Victoria and was really happy for us.

“We are so grateful to all the generous people in our community who made it possible.”

A Flying Fruit Fly Circus instructor, Ms Dyball said they took the car for a test drive over the weekend. 

“I can already notice a difference from doing less lifting – I have got a sore shoulder and hopefully it will straighten it out.”

Lillian, who is looking forward to starting Grade 1 at Glenroy Public School on Thursday, will now have the box seat.

Ms Dyball said Lillian was too short to see over the front from her position in the back.

“But my friend Helen (Newman) rigged up a telescope for her,” she said.

Donations for Let’s Go Lil can be made via the registered fundraising account: Hume Bank, BSB: 640 000, account name: Let’s Go Lil; account number: 607601516.