A BURNHAM-on-Sea group is supporting a woman’s campaign to raise £4,000 to buy a robot which helps her daughter receive her education without being in the classroom.

Makayla Nunn, of Priory Community School in Weston-super-Mare, suffers from ME and hypermobility syndrome, which often leaves her in an extreme state of tiredness and suffering from flu-like symptoms.

The 16-year-old can only attend school for two hours per day and relies on Robbie, an AV1 robot created by Norwegian-based start-up No Isolation, to help her keep up with lessons.

Robbie’s rental is due for renewal this year and to raise the £2,186 needed to keep him Makayla’s mum, Michelle, made a plea on social media for donations to borrow Robbie for another year.

Michelle’s fundraising appeal caught the attention of fundraiser Darren Sims, who has raised more than £650,000 for various causes.

To help raise funds, Darren is hosting a fundraiser at Up The Wall Bar in Weston on May 27.

Michelle said: “We have been overwhelmed with the support we have had from people who want to help Makayla.

“Robbie costs £2,186 to rent for an academic year, with additional £800 servicing costs and initially that was what we were trying to raise.

“After I posted the appeal on social media Darren contacted us and said he wanted to get involved and help us raise £4,000 to buy Robbie outright so he can be used in Makalya’s future education.

“We have had two big anonymous donations and a number of other donations since we launched the appeal and we are only about £1,000 away from our target.”

Sam Merries, chairman of Fibromyalgia Heart of Somerset, said the group first met Michelle last year when they invited her to give a talk about Robbie and they ‘wholeheartedly’ support her appeal.

She said: “We are very supportive of Michelle’s campaign to have Robbie. As a group we can empathise with the struggles that Makayla faces on a daily basis as some of our members have ME and know what a debilitating condition it is.

“We will be supporting Michelle in anyway we can and will be supporting Darren’s fundraising appeal.”

Michelle said Robbie makes a ‘huge difference’ to Makalya’s life and thanked everyone for their support.

“Doing this appeal has really given me faith in the kindness of strangers. Thanks to everyone who has supported our appeal, it means a lot to us.” Michelle said.