Littlehampton boy Khyal’s joy at generous gift

This was the moment that brought a happy ending to the story of Khyal Heading, the severely disabled Littlehampton boy who was the victim of a cruel burglary.

Khyal’s story featured on the front page of the Thursday, November 4 edition of the Littlehampton Gazette, after his £2,000 Spacekraft Bubble Tube was stolen in a burglary.

The 6ft-tall column of bubbling water was provided after a fund-raising campaign by the General Henry Pub in Horsham Road, Littlehampton, to help Khyal, who attends Palatine School in Worthing and was born with a hole-in-the-heart, has epilepsy and battled chronic lung disease.

A warm-hearted family from 60 miles away came to Khyal’s aid after thieves stole his £2,000 therapeutic bubble tube.

Ian and Liz Selden contacted Sussex Police from their home at Bracknell, Berkshire, after reading of the eight-year-old’s plight on the internet.

They travelled to Littlehampton to personally deliver a replacement bubble tube to Khyal and his mum Nikki.

Liz said: “We bought a bubble tube for our seven-year-old son Daniel after he suffered 13 strokes when he was two, rendering him severely disabled, so we know how vital specialist equipment is for the well-being and development of children with special needs.

“Daniel has since made a good recovery and no longer needs the bubble tube, so when Ian heard about the burglary he instantly wanted to donate ours to Khyal.

“Burglary is terrible enough, but for someone to steal equipment obviously designed for a disabled child it is appalling.”

Nikki was devastated when the bubble tube was stolen from their former home in Dorset Close some time between October 26 and November 1, while they were moving to a new address in Horsham Road.

She said: “I was completely overwhelmed to hear someone had come forward to make such a wonderful gesture.

“It’s an incredible feeling and has made everything seem so much better. It has put a smile back on Khyal’s face.

“I would like to thank the Selden family for their kind donation.

“We are grateful for all the support we’ve received from the community since the burglary.

“I would also like to thank the electricians Propelec who came round with the charity Jamie’s Wish to install other specialist equipment left behind in the burglary and finish off his new sensory room. Everyone has been lovely.”

Detective Constable Paul Arthur said: “Detectives are continuing to make extensive enquiries to find those responsible. Someone out there knows who committed this offence and I’m urging anyone with information to come forward.”

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.