More than 20 people took part in a fun run in Middleton-in-Teesdale which was organised by the parents of Josh Denton to help boost their fundraising appeal.
The eight-year-old suffered a seizure in September 2012 which left him unable to walk or talk. He now requires round-the-clock care.
Josh’s current bed no longer meets his needs and so he is facing the prospect of sleeping on the floor unless his family can raise the thousands of pounds needed to purchase a new specialist bed for him.
Mum Joanna Hall said: “We have done this to help raise the money needed to get Josh’s specialist bed. We have had the quote now and it is going to cost £10,000.”
Dad Scott Denton said: “Josh has outgrown the bed he has now. The new bed is very important because he would just be on the floor.”
The fundraising drive is being supported by the Bradley Lowery Foundation, a charity set up in memory of Bradley Lowery who died in July after a brave fight against a rare form of cancer known as neuroblastoma.
Bradley’s mum, Gemma, visited Josh at home in Middleton-in-Teesdale where he lives with his parents and five-year-old sister Mia.
She set a fundraising target of £30,000 which included the bed as well as money to transform Josh’s bedroom into a sensory room. So far, almost £3,000 has been raised. Josh is the first child to receive support from the foundation.
Mr Denton said: “The sensory room was Gemma’s idea.
“The first time she came and met us she felt it would be best to go for a sensory room rather than just a bed. This would be a whole new bedroom for Josh which would include cameras.
“It would make a massive difference for all of us even just the sleeping arrangements. Once Josh has got that safe bed we can think about using our own bedroom.”
Each child paid a £5 entry fee to take part in last week’s fun run along Beck Road. Adults joined them on the one-and-a-half kilometre route and many donned Santa hats for the occasion.
Ms Hall said: “Today is a bit of fun for everyone. It gets people out the house over the Christmas period to walk off those Christmas dinners. The Bradley Lowery Foundation is supporting us and a Just Giving page has been set up online. They are doing some fundraising too.”
A medal presentation was held at Middleton-in-Teesdale Sports and Social Club afterwards. Bacon rolls were served and a raffle was also held. Youngsters had fun on a bouncy castle.
Ms Hall said: “We really appreciate everyone’s support. We are over the moon people have come down here today. It is quite overwhelming and we could not be happier.”
As well as making the fun run an annual event, the family now hope to organise more fundraising events in the village such as race nights and coffee mornings.
To help Josh visit http://bit.ly/2h769tl.
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