Central Suffolk MP Dr Dan Poulter is planning to take the case of Kim Sale’s Motablility car up with Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey as the teenager has been told she will lose her “lifeline.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Dr Dan Poulter speaking at Westminster. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARYDr Dan Poulter speaking at Westminster. Picture: ARCHANT LIBRARY (Image: Archant)

Kim, from Kesgrave, hit the headlines last year after she passed her driving test shortly after her 16th birthday – and received an adapted Fiat 500 from the Motability charity.

The youngster had her right leg amputated above the knee in 2015 after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer,

Because she was registered as having a disability, she was able to apply for a driving licence a year earlier than normal – and passed her test and was given a Motability car in November which enabled her to get to school in Kesgrave.

Speaking in a video interview after passing her test last year, Kim said how happy and proud she was, and how it had helped her to regain some of her independence.

However just two months later she has been reassessed for the Personal Independence Payments which apply for people aged over 16 – and has been told she no longer qualifies for a high enough payment to receive a Motability vehicle.

After hearing about her case her MP Dr Poulter said he was anxious to take up the case with the Secretary of State.

He said: “This looks like a very bad decision. If Kim needed her car last year she needs it now. She has been through a great deal over the last few years and this looks quite ridiculous.

“I hope to speak to the family and then to take up the case with Esther McVey. I will be doing all I can to help.”

Kim’s mother Kellie Thorndyke said the family would welcome Dr Poulter’s intervention.

She said: “Kim is very worried. She relies on the car to get to school and to get to her weekend part time job in Woodbridge – she got the job because she had the transport to get there.

“I am delighted to hear that Dr Poulter may be able to help us. We will be very happy to talk to him about this.”

She knew a supporter of the family had written to Dr Poulter – she would now prepare to tell him about the case.

Kim has been told that she will have to hand back her Motability car at the beginning of April unless she can find £9,400 to buy it from the scheme.

Mrs Thorndyke said the contract for the car formally ended early in February but Kim had been told she would not have to hand back the vehicle until April.