JASON’S ‘CHARITY NINJAS’ RAISE £17K FOR ALEX’S DREAM
Appeal to fans after pupil left at depot by bus firm
A COMEDIAN helped raise thousands of pounds overnight so a little boy with Down’s syndrome can go to Disney World.
When Jason Manford heard the story that 12-year-old Alex Jones, from Barry, was left in a bus depot, he got his legions of fans to help by posting an online fundraising page.
Alex had been left alone on a bus when CJ Contract Travel Services didn’t drop him home after attending Ysgol Y Deri School in Penarth on January 29.
His mum, Victoria, was left terrified, especially when the school phoned to say CCTV showed he had boarded the bus.
He was eventually found at a depot before they locked up for the night.
Alex and his family had also been trying to raise money to go on charity Cauldwell Children’s annual Destination Dreams holiday to Disney World in Florida, but had only raised £240 of the £12,000 needed. His story was featured in Wales on Sunday earlier this month.
That’s when Jason Manford stepped in.
On Friday night, the comedian wrote: “Just had a really funny thought. Imagine if we got this kid’s charity appeal to £12k overnight and then I just deleted the posts about it.
“That family would wake up tomorrow morning having gone from £240 to £12k with not a clue how! We could be charity ninjas!”
Overnight tens of thousands of pounds were raised, bringing the total to more than £17,000.
Jason then deleted the post, writing later: “Nothing to see here folks. #Crackedit #CharityNinjas #ThankYou”. Victoria said she was “gobsmacked” when she woke up and heard the news.
“I can’t believe it,” she said. “I checked the donation page and I am just gobsmacked.
“I’m going to private message him to say thank you and to say we’re very grateful. I’m shocked.
“We’re all going to have a fantastic time now.”