Team Ethan target smashed
A RUNCORN family’s dream of giving their son the chance to do things most take for granted via life-changing surgery has taken a step closer after their fundraising campaign reached its £21,000 target in under a couple of months thanks to ‘unbelievable’ support.
Ethan Franklin Campbell, 11, of Holloway, has cerebral palsy and, as a result, lives with limited mobility, finding routine tasks difficult and becoming tired after walking for five minutes.
Having already defied doctors’ early expectations, Ethan’s condition inspired his dad Gary Campbell to take on a massive fundraising effort to fund ‘ selective dorsal rhizotomy’ surgery.
Although available on the NHS to children aged between five and nine years, bad luck meant that Ethan’s mum and dad did not learn about the procedure’s existence until Ethan was too old to be eligible.
Gary’s staggering efforts and those of the ‘amazing people’ backing the appeal have now brought the dream within reach, receiving backing from Runcorn’s Conservative Club on Balfour Street, Runcorn Town, plus a host of well-known figures via Twitter including Coleen Rooney, sports presenter Kelly Cates and Everton superfan Speedo Mick – the football theme reflecting the Campbells’ own sporting allegiances and Ethan’s ‘EFC’ initials.
A Go Fund Me website appeal also attracted huge support and the ‘ Team Ethan’ logo was publicised on T-shirts, balloons and by the Runcorn Rocks art project.
Someone even donated £100 they had won in a competition.
Gary said: “It’s been ● unbelievable how everyone’s pulled together.
“We had a couple of charity nights in the Conny Club, a charity football match at Runcorn Town and because of that Runcorn Town asked Ethan if he would be mascot for the day and they raised some money for us.”
Follow the campaign by searching for ‘Team Ethan Fundraising Page’ on Facebook or ‘SDR surgery for Ethan Campbell’ at www.gofundme.com