Laura braves heat to help boy walk
STUART PIKE
AN Accrington care worker braved a gruelling 38-mile challenge in baking temperatures to help a little boy’s bid to walk.
Laura Foulger, of Hartmann Street, Accrington, endured 30+ degree heat in the 15-hour slog from Blackpool to Accrington, raising £222 in aid of Leelan Hitchen who has cerebral palsy.
Laura, 28, works with Leelan’s grandmother Denise Walkden at Springhill Care Home, and she was accompanied on the walk by friend and fellow work colleague Angelika Schmazl, whose efforts also raised money for her own chosen charities.
Five-year-old Leelan’s family have launched an appeal for £20,000 to fund a ‘life-changing’ selective dorsal rhizotomy operation, which is not available through the NHS.
Laura, of Hartmann Street, Accrington overcame a blister and some dodgy directions to finish the challenge late at night before soothing her sore limbs in a much-needed bath. She said: “I ached for about three days after. We got to Blackpool at about 8.30 in the morning and it was already 27 degrees. We had to keep taking extra stops. It was longer than planned; the instructions were useless and we ended up using Google Maps. It was supposed to take 10 and a half hours and it took about 15.”
It came as a massive relief for the trainee assistant practitioner when was met at the end of the walk at Church roundabout by her boyfriend Sean Fay.
She admits it has been quite a “draining” last few months due to Covid-19 and juggling work with her university coursework, but she was determined to finish the highly symbolic challenge.
Laura said: “It’s a really good cause. For such a young boy to be in pain so much all day every day and to not be able to do anything to help it. I’ve worked in care for 10 years and seen people in pain.”
Leelan’s grateful mum Kimberley, who is originally from Oswaldtwistle but has lived in Haslingden with husband Darren for six years, said they “couldn’t believe” they had contemplated the walk on such a hot day.
She said: “It took her until 11 o’clock in the evening. We can’t believe the support we have had.
“Especially from a lot of small businesses who are struggling at the moment.”
Leelan’s fundraising page can be found by searching for ‘Leelan’s Chance’ on www.gofundme.com . There is also a Leelans Chance Facebook page.