Mystery donor hands over £3000
ANDREA LAMBROU
The Miracle for Mikey campaign has smashed its fundrasing goal to send East Kilbride boy Michael McNulty to Spain for life changing surgery.
A charity basketball match at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena in aid of the nine-year-old St Louise pupil pulled in nearly £2000 at the weekend.
Mikey’s mum Donna collected £750 from ticket sales donated by Glasgow Rocks for their match against Sheffield Sharks on Friday and generous supporters and spectators dug deep on the night to pull in over £1000 in bucket dontations.
And thanks to a big-hearted anonymous donor, a whopping £3000 to the youngster’s JustGiving page meaning Mikey’s family now have the £22,000 needed to take him to Barcelona for preventative treatment.
Mikey’s trip overseas could now happen ahead of plan, as early as April, thanks to overwhelming support from generous local donors.
Donna, 36, told the News: “We have hit target. We are absolutely speechless. What a night, then to top it off we have had a donation of £3000. This donation is anonymous so I can’t even thank them in person but we are so so grateful and overwhelmed with the support.
“We may manage this operation at the end of March now rather than the summer.”
The sports-mad youngster, who plays for Paisley Basketball Club, South Lanarkshire Colliers and EK
Rolls Royce FC, was diagnosed with the incurable condition Chiari Malformation three years ago after an accident at school led to a CT scan.
Chiari Malformation is a life-threatening neurological disorder where the brain is too big for the skull causing extreme pain.
Mikey has a severe herniation – which sees brain tissue shift – of 21mm and a cyst on his brain.
His family launched the Miracle for Mikey campaign and in just four months have smashed their fundraising target through various community fundraisers. The surgery in Barcelona is less invasive than brain surgery in the UK and prevents symptoms from worsening.
Donna added: “Chiari can be life threatening. This is why we are doing what we are doing, to ensure his condition does not progress or his health deteriorate further.
“It is an invisible condition, he may look healthy when you see him, but he suffers from a multitude of symptoms not visible. We have always said that this surgery will be life changing and help Mikey to have the chance to lead a normal life.
“We have completed our own research and spoken with many that have had the surgery. It has been life changing for them, as we are confident it will be for Mikey. Thank you to everyone for your support over these previous four months, we could not have done it without you all.”