This is a good-news article and it makes a change: a young girl from Motril with a rare disease now has all the orthopaedic material she needs for day-to-day life, as well as funds for a private medical consultancy, all thanks to 10,000 tonnes of plastic bottle tops and other donations.

Five months ago the family launched a facebook appeal (Tapones para Miriam) to obtain funds through the collection of these small pieces of plastic; seemingly worthless, but thanks to the massive response and collection drive generated by the appeal, within five month this huge quantity of tops has provided 12,000 euros for the family.

One anonymous donator provided three specialised mobility units, worth 10,000 euros, whilst a telemarathon on regional television produced another 7,400 euros, which also went on similar medical items.

But whilst social networking brings out the best in most, it also stimulates the skeptical, who flooded the net with theories that the girl didn’t even exist and that the receptors had raked in millions.

“I’ve already gratefully rejected funds from people who wanted to help us because we already have all that Miriam needs, so I suggested that they help others in need,” explained Miriam’s mother, Patricia. She explained that there are about 30 such people, whose generosity and humanity are amazing.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)