A family is celebrating after two charities agreed to fund life-changing surgery for four-and-a-half-year-old boy Cole.
Hayley Phillips, 41, embarked on her fundraising journey just three weeks ago and has already smashed the £20,000 target.
Her son Cole Murray was born at just over 27 weeks, weighing only 2lb 11oz and suffered a bleed on his brain, was ventilated, fought infections and had endless needles and procedures. He still required oxygen two months after his birth.
He was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy at nine-months-old.
Determined not to let his condition get the better of him, his family set out to find Cole’s best chance of living his best life.
They started to raise the money for spinal surgery that will remove the spasticity in his legs, reducing his pain and need for medication, making him more comfortable and the need for future surgery.
“It didn’t quite register at first,” said Hayley, of Windermere, describing the moment she found out that all of the money they set out to raise had been provided.
“Then the tears came. Then what I said after that didn’t make much sense. It took a few days to sink in properly.”
Lakeland Disability Support agreed to provide £15,000, with the remaining £5,000 coming from The Craig Smith Charitable Foundation.
“It (the surgery) will be brilliant for him, it will change his life,” said Hayley.
“It will reduce his hospital appointments – he has a lot – when he is getting to an age where he doesn’t want to miss school.
“It will help prevent future surgeries, minimise his medication, and it is the best option for him to live. It is a lifetime condition so it is something he has to live with.”
A symptom of Cole’s condition is that his muscles tighten and recently this caused him to dislocate his hip.
He must now have reconstructive surgery early next year to repair it. Once he has recovered, he can then look at Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), a surgery that is available on the NHS – but only for those for whom it would enable them to walk afterwards.
Removing the spasticity would mean injuries like this should be a thing of the past.
“Everyone has been so supportive, even people I don’t know,” continued Hayley.
“I want to say a massive thank you to both of them (Lakeland Disability Support and The Craig Smith Charitable Foundation) and to everyone else who has supported us.
“Everyone has been so amazing. People have gone above and beyond for us. What a great place to live.”
Fundraising will continue with any future money being used for aftercare and any equipment.
The next event is Cole’s Dragtastic Fundraiser, which will take place at the Boaters Bar on Glebe Road in Windermere.
