Jonathan Sims

Jack's 1st steps fund

Fundraising for Tree of Hope
£65,374
raised of £60,000 target
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Jack's 1st steps fund, 30 April 2013
Tree of Hope

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1149254 In Scotland SC042611
We offer hope to families to transform the lives of sick children

Story

Where do we start....

Jack and Charlie are twins who were born 8 weeks early at Winchester hospital on 13/07/10.

When they were delivered Jack was a forceps delivery and Charlie breech. Jack had trouble breathing when he was born which is when we thought the brain damage may have occured but we have been told it may have happened in the womb.

The 1st year was mostly about Charlie as had a hernia operation and discovered he has a hole in the heart (VSD) also had a hypospadias repair (penis operation).

When they were almost one it was noticed that Jack wasn't reaching his milestones like Charlie which ment he could not hold himself up, crawl, stand or sit unaided and was confirmed he had hypermobility which he started phsyio for.

It was only in May 2012 that he was diagnosed with spastic diplegic Cerebral Palsy.

He currently wears a lycra suit for his posture, splints to help with his balance, a walker to get around and most recently has started using sticks.

He can only walk short distances with his walker and will have a wheelchair for long distances.

Our specialist has advised Jack requires an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) which will reduce the tightness and pain in his legs and give him the chance to walk unaided and pain free.

When we first started the fundraising nearly 3 years ago, St. Louis in America was the only option to have the operation. Since then the UK have started to perform the operation in 3 hospitals but still paying for it.

Due to family issues, some personal issues and being more practical we are in the process of speaking to Bristol Children's Hospital to see if it can be performed there.

We have so far had a chat with Bristol and will be going back on 8th May for a full assessment to see if it is possible.

On this basis we need to raise money for this operation, physio and any equipment he may require.

He is such a happy boy and to see him walk along side his twin would be one of the most amazing things.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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

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So please dig deep and donate now.

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About the charity

Tree of Hope

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1149254 In Scotland SC042611
All donations are paid into Tree of Hope's general funds which fund our charitable activities. Our charitable activities are focused on raising & managing funds for medical treatment, therapy & equipment for sick & disabled children. England & Wales 1149254 Scotland SCO4261 www.treeofhope.org.uk

Donation summary

Total raised
£65,373.52
+ £5,195.52 Gift Aid
Online donations
£46,918.74
Offline donations
£18,454.78

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