Teesdale youngster is first child to receive support from Bradley Lowery Foundation

A TEESDALE child has become the first to receive support from a charity set up in memory of six-year-old football fan Bradley Lowery.

The help from the Bradley Lowery Foundation will mean Josh Denton, from Middleton-in-Teesdale, will be saved from having to sleep on the floor after the NHS deemed his old bed to be unsafe. A new one will cost £10,000.

The eight-year-old was left with brain damage when he suffered a seizure aged three. He continues to suffer from epilepsy. On the fifth anniversary of the tragedy, he faces having to sleep on the floor because his customised bed presents a danger.

His father, Scott, said: “He is more lively so it is not safe for him. It is a four-and-half to five feet drop, so it would be quite a drop if he falls out.”

The family recently discovered that Josh is able to climb up and hang over the padded walls that used to keep him safe.

NHS officials have ruled that the bed should be removed and despite attempts by his occupational therapist, the NHS will not replace it. 

A new specialised Oasis Cot would cost about £10,000. The new bed is lower to the ground and has higher padded walls.

Mr Denton said: “Why isn’t there someone out there to provide beds at a more affordable price?
“It is crazy the price they put on.”

In a twist, the family spotted a Facebook post by the Bradley Lowery Foundation, which was looking for children to support, and sent an email.

The foundation was established in memory of Bradley Lowery who died in July after a brave fight against neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer.

His plight captured the hearts of thousands of people and he was a regular at Sunderland Football matches.

Bradley’s mum, Gemma, visited Josh soon after receiving the email.

She wants to raise £30,000 for Josh and he will be the first child to receive support from the foundation. 

The foundation has already set up a Facebook page and a Justgiving page to raise the cash.
Mr Denton said: “We met them last week and they set this up the next day.

“We just wanted a bed, but they want to give him a whole new sensory room.”

The plan is also to install cameras in Josh’s bedroom so the family can have some personal time in the lounge while being able to keep an eye on the youngster.

Mr Denton said when £1,000 has been raised the foundation will add another £1,000, and when £5,000 has been achieved a representative of the specialist bed-making company will be called to take measurements for the new Oasis Cot.

Josh and his family were also invited by the foundation to a box at the Stadium of Light to watch Sunderland, Bradley’s favourite team, play against Bolton.

Josh’s mum, Joanna Hall, said: “He loved it when the goals went in and the crowd went wild.”
It was the first time that Josh had attended a major football match.

To help Josh get his new bed, visit this link http://bit.ly/2h769tl or visit visit facebook.com/Joshuas-
Journey-124603271565934/