Fundraisers who are superheroes for Jacob
THE family of a little boy with a condition destroying his ability to move held a fundraising event at a local supermarket as part of a campaign to raise £22,000 for an electronic wheelchair.
Jacob O’Neill, three, from Offerton, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy aged 18 months.
It is a genetic recessive disease that destroys nerves controlling voluntary muscle movement, affecting the ability to crawl, walk, swallow and even breathe.
Children who have it are also often intelligent and sociable and Jacob loves joining in with activities at nursery.
But he is outgrowing the Wizzybug wheelchair that allows him to do this and his mum Sophie is trying to raise the money for a replacement - called a Snapdragon.
She said: “As any other child, Jacob loves to play with his friends and feel included in activities at preschool.
“This chair will allow Jacob to be able to reach different levels so he can feel included at story time. It has a riser on it allowing Jacob to be able to sit on the floor and reach up high for toys.
“It will also allow him to fit under any table to join in activities with his friends at preschool.
“We are asking for help so we can give Jacob more independence and freedom.”
A superhero-themed fun day was held at Tesco Extra, in Portwood, earlier this month.
There was a roaming magician, beauty treatments, a gymnastic display, barbecue food, stalls and raffles.
Sophie said: “I was so shocked when I was told that the team in store were planning on hosting a huge superhero themed event, they really have gone above and beyond to help us.
“I’m so touched by their kindness.”
Staff at the store decided to help after Sophie wrote to them asking for raffle prizes. Wendy Blanks, customer experience manager at the store, said: “When I received the letter and heard Jacob’s story I immediately thought that we could do much better than prizes.
“Our aim is to have a new chair for Jacob by Christmas.”
To find out more visit www.facebook.com/ Jacobssnapdragon/. just raffle