Our son Matthew is 5 years old. Born 10 weeks premature and fighting meningitis Matt was very poorly during his first few weeks. At around 18 months we were given the heartbreaking news that Matt had Cerebral Palsy. 

Cerebral Palsy affects people in many different ways and to varying degrees. In Matt's case it affects all four limbs with the greatest impact on his legs. The result of this is that he uses a walking frame for short distances and a wheelchair the rest of the time.

Up until recently, we were expecting Matt to slowly lose the little mobility he has and eventually end up completely wheelchair bound. Fortunately we heard of an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) which up until recently was only available in the USA.

The procedure is now available in Bristol with other hospitals beginning to follow suit. Unfortunately the operation is not routinely funded by the NHS and herein lies our £25,000 problem!!

Please help Tree of Hope to help us fund this operation for Matt. There will be an enormous amount of physio, rehabilitation and equipment needed following the op but to see Matt on his feet, be it with a frame, sticks or otherwise will be the most fantastic thing.

He so deserves this opportunity, please help us to make it happen.

Should we exceed the target amount (or if we do not raise enough funds, or if they cannot be used for any other related reason) the funds will go to the general funds of Tree of Hope to assist other sick children.

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Thank you for supporting us x