Sheep whose back legs stopped working is given her own wheelchair

A sheep whose two hind legs stopped working shortly after she was born has been given a new lease on life after being gifted a specially made wheelchair.

Winnie the ewe is part of a flock that have roamed the yard outside Pakefield Church in Lowestoft, Norfolk, for a number of years.

Just a week after she was born in March alongside fellow spring lamb Roo, Winnie lost control of her two back legs due to a deficiency and hindlimb paralysis.

The prognosis wasn't looking good for the young ewe, with vets advising that she'd need to be put down, but ministers at the church refused to give up.

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They got in touch with Winston's Wheels – a charity based in Sudbury, Suffolk, that provides wheelchairs and strollers to disabled dogs – and asked if there was anything they could do.

After assessing Winnie, they fit her with "cart wheels" claiming it was "the first wheelchair sheep" that they had ever helped.

Children, youth and families minister at Pakefield Church, Katey Mills, said: "The intention was to look after the lambs ahead of them becoming part of the flock.

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"But a week into having them, Winnie sadly woke up with no use of her back legs – it literally happened overnight.

"We took her to the vets and was told she needed to be put down. But we didn't give up, and it was a proper emotional moment seeing her on wheels and scooting around. We are very grateful to Winston's Wheels."

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