charity
Life changing
operation A youngster from Northumberland is hoping the public will get behind him in raising enough money to allow him a life-changing operation. etc’s Tegan Chapman finds out about the fundraising progress.
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even-year-old Callum Brown was born just three weeks early, but had immediate problems with his breathing. The brave youngster, from Derwent Road, Seaton Sluice, spent seven days in special care where he had bleeding on his brain which had to be monitored. Callum’s mum Sharon, said: “Doctors looked at his head when he was six months old and said everything was normal, but that wasn’t the case. “We knew something wasn’t right. “When he was 18-months-old he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which means that his legs are painful and stiff and he can’t walk on his own.” The family found out about lifechanging surgery available in the US earlier this year when family friend Lily Gordon, from North Tyneside, underwent the selective dorsal rhizotomy treatment
at the Children’s Hospital in St Louis. The youngster’s family and friends rallied around to raise the money needed to afford the operation and now Sharon is looking to do the same for Callum. “We are friends with Lily and her family and have watched the difference the operation has already made to her in such a short time, so we would love the same for Callum,” said Sharon. “He really struggles with everyday things and can’t do all the things he would like to. “He really wants to get his legs fixed.” It is hoped the operation will enable Callum to walk unaided for the first time in his life, but pioneering surgery doesn’t come cheap, and Sharon and husband Neil are now on a mammoth fundraising drive to get the initial £50,000 they need to take Callum to St Louis for the surgery – and a possible £20,000 more for future physiotherapy.
The family has set up Callum’s Wish to Walk and is receiving help from Angels of the North, an umbrella organisation trust fund, who will process all the donations and sponsors for Gift Aid as they did for Lily. Sharon added: “We know it will take us a long time to raise at least £50,000 but if we can do it, then it could mean Callum’s life changes for the better, forever. “It is miracle stuff, what they can do now, and we want the best for Callum. “We have raised about £30,192 so far and we are planning a series of events, including a sportsman’s dinner, bike ride, and a Zumbathon. “We know it won’t be easy to raise the money, so anyone who can help, it would be much appreciated.” n For more information visit www.callumswishtowalk.co.uk donate at www.justgiving.com/callumswishtowalk or visit www.angelsofthenorth.eu
www.etcnortheast.co.uk
magazine - May 2012
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