Power of good
Oche legend Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor gives £20,000 to help fan Jackson Waddell have treatment in the US
A THRILLED mum last night told how her six-year-old son’s life could be transformed after an amazing gesture by darts legend Phil Taylor.
Taylor gifted £20,000 to help young fan Jackson Waddell – who has cerebral palsy – have potentially life-changing treatment in the US.
He decided to donate after meeting Jackson at an exhibition in Scotland at the weekend and being blown away by the kid’s bravery and warmth.
Jackson’s family, from Irvine, are trying to raise £70,000 to send him to America for a pioneering operation by renowned neurosurgeon Dr TS Park at the St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri.
Jackson relies on a frame and wheelchair but it’s hoped the surgery, which involves cutting nerves to make his legs easier to function, will allow the youngster to stand on his own two feet or even be able to walk.
After hearing the news, Taylor – nicknamed The Power – handed over the money and set about ensuring celeb pals such as Robbie Williams add to the fund to ensure the lad gets to America.
Jackson’s mum and dad, Jacqueline and Craig, and the entire family have been left overwhelmed by the gesture and say everything has now changed in their quest to get their brave boy to the US.
Jacqueline said: “The whole day has left us pinching ourselves. Phil said he would get Robbie and Ronnie O’Sullivan to help out and make sure we got the full £70,000.
“It’s an understatement to say it has changed our lives within a couple of hours. We can’t speak highly enough of Phil. It’s just so generous and thoughtful.
“Jackson loves his darts and has been to the The Hydro and Braehead Arena to watch but never before managed to meet Phil.
“Jackson’s grandad Willie plays darts in Irvine and knows Wullie Burns, who organises darts events. So we booked the event in Govan some time ago to make sure he could see him. But they hit it off straight away.
“Jackson shook his hand before he did his walk-on to the stage and it was only then that Phil realised that the event was about raising money for Jackson.
“Phil said he would give £10,000 and we were like, ‘Oh my God!’
“Then he played two other kids on stage. He said if they hit a double, he would donate £5000 more each time. And they both hit doubles.”
Jacqueline and Craig are now hopeful that Jackson can be accepted for the treatment. She added: “Jackson was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was 16 months. We realised he wasn’t hitting his normal milestones.
“He has needed a walking frame and wheelchair but he’s such a determined boy. He plays frame football in Kilmarnock and does horse riding.
“But we couldn’t get further treatment in the UK. There’s five levels of CP and he’s level four. The NHS only treats up to level one or two, so you can only get the
We are pinching ourselves & can’t speak highly enough of Phil MUM JACQUELINE
operation in the States. However, Dr Park doesn’t just take on any patient and we are waiting for a reply to whether he can take on Jackson.
“The operation is tricky because it’s surgery on nerve endings and the spinal cord. But we’ve got nothing to lose because Jackson is already in a wheelchair.
“We just hope we can improve his quality of life. Just to be able to stand up and get himself dressed and things like that which we all take for granted.
“Even if we had got the OK from Dr Park for the operation, we knew it would be almost an impossible job to raise the £70,000. But suddenly, that has all changed and we are completely blown away by what has happened. We can’t thank Phil enough for what he has done.”
Phil, 56, said: “I just turned up at the Fairfield Social club in Govan and I was introduced to Jackson and I couldn’t help but want to do something.
“We got chatting and his family are lovely and it’s just heartbreaking what he is going through and needs that treatment. The family were trying their hardest to raise the cash but I can help immediately with the £20,000.
“I’m going to spend the next few days ringing round a few pals like Robbie and Ronnie and we’ll get the full £70,000 he needs. I was blown away by Jackson, I was almost in tears from the moment I met him. He’s such a lovely kid.”
Event organiser Wullie said: “We managed to raise £650 and I was really pleased with that – but Phil just left us all gobsmacked with his generosity.
“I’ve no doubt that he will help them raise the £70,000 needed and that’s just incredible. I’m just so delighted because they’re a lovely family.”