Support for poorly Ryan 'overwhelming' says family

THE family of a poorly Teesdale toddler say they have been overwhelmed with the support they’ve received in their fight to find a cure.
Gainford’s Ryan Chidzey was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in January – a rare condition for which there is no known cure. 
More than 50 people packed into Gainford Village Hall last Saturday for a coffee morning and tombola to back the Chidzeys’ fundraising campaign.
Dad Cieran Chidzey said he’d been overwhelmed by the reaction of the village.
He added: “We cannot believe how kind everyone has been – we are really grateful. We’re really surprised and thankful for everyone going out of their way.”
Mr and Mrs Chidzey are facing the possibility of seeing their little boy in a wheelchair by the age of 11 and doctors have also said he may not live beyond his late teens.
A target of £50,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund has been set up in the wake of Ryan’s diagnosis.
Donations to the fund have passed £8,000 in just a matter of weeks. Saturday’s coffee morning added another £1,131.55 to the total.
Ryan’s grandfather Bert Chidzey helped organise last week’s coffee morning alongside a band of kind-hearted volunteers.
He added: “We’ve a house full of books – it just took off.
“We have been over-awed by all these people’s donations and the responses have been incredible – they are just so generous.”
As well as support from villagers, the family have had backing from Morrisons and a number of other shops.
Several other fundraising events have been lined up for the coming weeks and months with A Disco For Ryan on Saturday, March 25, from 2pm until 5pm at the village hall. Tickets cost £2 and will include party games and a bouncy castle.
Barnard Castle Cricket Club will be holding A Family Night For Ryan on Saturday, April 15 from 6pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults and entry is free for children.
Meanwhile, Gainford’s Summer Bash is taking shape with money from the event supporting the fundraiser on Saturday, June 17.
For more information, contact nat.a.king4@gmail.com or phone 01325 730360.
An off-road five-mile charity fun run will take place in Gainford on Sunday, June 25.
Fancy dress is optional but there will be prizes for the best outfits.
A coast to coast charity cycle has also been lined up for August. To donate to the campaign for Ryan visit https://www.justgiving.com /campaigns/charity/muscu lar-dystrophy/ourfightfor ryan.