Brother joining him for hot coals walk
A brave East Kilbride boy battling severe epilepsy has pledged to walk over hot coals to raise funds for his lifesaving cannabis oil.
Nine-year-old Cole Thomson will put his best foot forward in a thrilling firewalk challenge along with his 12-year-old brother, Dylan, next month.
Run by Mindshift Experiences and hosted by East Kilbride Thistle Football Club – whose players are also taking part – the aim of the fundraiser is to raise a month’s supply of medical cannabis to keep epileptic Cole seizure-free.
Cole is at the heart of community fundraising in East Kilbride due to suffering a rare drug resistant form of epilepsy.
At his worst he was unable to walk or talk and was ultimately admitted to hospital in an unresponsive state.
The Canberra Primary pupil has also undergone invasive brain surgery and has been on more than 20 different medications since he was diagnosed at just three-monthsold.
Cole’s mum Lisa Quarrell must raise £1300 every month for his private prescription and has admitted she is “drowning” in her ongoing battle to gain access to a lifesaving cannabis oil on the NHS.
Bedrolite has transformed Cole’s life, however, the family cannot secure a free prescription through the NHS.
And it is hoped the ‘Walk Over Hot Coals for Cole’ event can help provide enough funding for just one month’s worth of the drug.
Excited for the challenge, Cole said: “I feel pretty great and a little nervous.
“I think it will be good to do it because I really don’t want to get sick again and need my medicine.”
Big brother Dylan showed his bravery though, saying he’s “not nervous” for the challenged, rather “excited”.
He added: “I want to do this for my wee brother to keep him seizure-free on his special medicine.
“Also to help my mum because she has had to fundraise for three years to keep Cole safe and she’s tired.”
Lisa has found herself in a vicious cycle, pleading with policy-makers and begging for backing from politicians to push the reform of current laws around the use of cannabis for medication.
It is hoped up to 20 fundraisers will take on the mind-overmatter challenge at EK Thistle’s ground at 5pm on February 19 raising a minimum of £150 each.
Lisa told the News: “I’ve started 2022 with major anxiety and stress.
“After three years of campaigning I’m starting another year of fundraising – I’m exhausted.
“And I have a constant gutwrenching feeling waiting on the next rejection email from the government.
“I’m drained, I’m done in, I’ve had enough – but I can’t stop. I have three years’ evidence that Cole is better on the cannabis oil than off it when he nearly died.
“He has no anxiety, he’s doing great at school and he hasn’t had a seizure since the beginning of November.
“I need to keep going and keep fighting and just hope that the government does the right thing and puts funding in place.”
Lisa announced recently that she will stand as Labour candidate for East Kilbride Central South in the next local election, with the hope that she can impact reform surrounding medicinal cannabis.
Commenting on the firewalk challenge, Lisa said: “I’m so proud of my boys.
“I did a firewalk years ago for Epilepsy Scotland and it was an amazing experience, you come away from it feeling great.”
More participants are needed to take part in the firewalk.
To get involved contact Lisa on
07825 252 523 or visit
Cole’s campaign via
Facebook at www. facebook.com/
Colesfund
You can make a donation at www. gofundme. com/f/ walkoverhotcoalsforcole