Patrick is 16 years old and was born with left side hemiplegia, when he was six he developed severe epilepsy, often having seizures continually all day. After trying all sorts of medication and several visits and stays to Great Ormond Street hospital, Patrick was offered a hemispherectomy operation and had the brain surgery in July 2004, disconnecting one side of the brain from the other and removal of some of the damage. It was a great success and he is now seizure free, however, is on medication for severe migraines, also has a visual impairment caused by the operation and learning difficulties from the many years of epilepsy, but this is a small price to pay for a happy smiling young man, who can now live his dream of playing the most important thing......sport! Patrick was able to attend the Special Olympics in Greece and represented GB in table tennis.

Jack, 13 has a diagnosis of Tetraplegia. This presents as a physical disability which significantly impairs movement. Jack is unable to walk or weight bear and is fully dependent on carers for absolutely everything. Despite this, Jack is a very sociable young man who participates in a wide range of community and outdoor activities. The only way he could continue these activities was with a portable hoist, which needed to be lightweight and easily transported.

The Foundation purchased the hoist for Jack which allowed him to continue with his social participation and improve his emotional well being. Without the hoist Jack was at risk of being socially disadvantaged and missing out on so many activities.

Daniel, 9 received a bike at Christmas from the Foundation.

He was living in a hostel with his mam and sister to escape his mothers violent partner.

His mam left home with one bag between them; Daniel and his sister 5 had no toys and very little else

He was unable to join in with the cycling proficiency at school because he did not have a bike.

The Foundation delivered a bike, toys for Katie and warm clothes for over the winter for both of the children.

A family in Fishburn were trying to raise funds for their son, Cameron, who had been diagnosed with Autism in 2008. His parents had always known he was “special and different from their other three sons.” Now aged eleven, he was due to start comprehensive school, a huge step for any child, even more so for a child with Autism. Cameron has great difficulty in showing his emotions and lacks everyday social skills. His mam had found out how an I Pad could support his learning and social skills, with the aid of a special app. With the help of the foundation he now has his I Pad to enable him to be the best that he can be in his confusing world..

Jake suffered a severe epileptic fit when he was just two years old. He never recovered after waking up from his coma and now needs round the clock care, unable to walk, talk or do anything for himself. We have supported Jake with a new specialist chair, for at his Nana’s house, where he spends his weekends. Recently we also purchased Jake an UPSEE which gives him the ability to walk with an adult.

After a year of a rapidly deteriorating mystery illness Amy, 10, from Sedgefield, was diagnosed with a Medulloblistoma brain tumour. Amy has gone from a normal little girl, running around, to being unable to do anything for herself. The Foundation has supported Amy and her family by installing a stair lift into their home in Sedgefield. This will enable Amy to continue using her bedroom when she is allowed home from hospital. Amy has a long road ahead of her but her family are overwhelmed by the support the Foundation has given her.

Will is a delightful little boy who has Downs Syndrome. He received an I Pad from the Foundation to enable him to access his learning using an interactive approach. This allows Will to communicate more effectively and to participate fully in his school life. He was recently able to use his I Pad to record all of his summer adventures. This enabled Will to share his holiday news with his class without the barrier of communication.

Matthew who has Cerebral Palsy, epilepsy and global developmental delay, was unable to be part of the family when they went on bike rides due to his low muscle tone and frequent seizures. The family were unable to all go out together as one parent had to stay at home with Matthew. The Foundation purchased a specialist Taga bike which enables the family to enjoy ‘normal family’ days out. This makes such a difference to Matthew’s every day struggles.

Robbie Jones from Bowburn, was diagnosed with group B meningococcal septicaemia, for which there is no vaccination. Surgeons had to amputate both legs and fingertips on his left hand as septicaemia had spread. The foundation helped Robbie to get his ‘new legs’.