Member Article

£2,000 in aid of life-changing surgery

A nine year-old boy with cerebral palsy has been gifted £2,000 towards a life-changing operation.

Josh Walters, who lives with his family in Portishead, received the donation from Persimmon Homes Severn Valley; as part of the builder’s Community Champions scheme.

Born almost 12 weeks premature, Josh has cerebral palsy and spastic diplegia in his lower body. The condition means the muscles in his lower body are tight, limiting his mobility and putting pressure on his hips, knees and joints.

But now aged nine and Josh has a chance of living a normal life – thanks to a method of spinal surgery called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) which will eliminate a majority, if not all, of his symptoms. This, in turn, will dramatically reduce the chances of Josh having to deal with future issues which are common for people dealing with his condition as they mature such as hip dislocations, severe joint problems and arthritis.

Unfortunately, the operation is not funded by the NHS and his parents Andrew and Emma have launched a fundraising campaign called Operation Josh to pay for the procedure and immediate rehabilitation, which would change their son’s life.

They have set a target of £26,500 to pay for the operation package and a small portion of the subsequent intense physiotherapy programme, with more than £18,000 already raised.

Dad Andrew, said: “We have worked tirelessly to launch Operation Josh in the community and through social media together with an intense fundraising schedule with the view to book Josh in for the operation during the summer holidays. This donation from Persimmon Homes takes us one step closer to our fundraising target.

“Josh plays football for Portishead Town Under 9’s, goes to the 2nd Portishead Cub Pack and enjoys a busy school life. He is an inspiration to us, his friends and the wider community and deserves to have the independence and opportunity to be the best he can be and shape his own future without restricted mobility.”

Steve Roche, managing director of Persimmon Homes Severn Valley, said: “We’re so pleased to present Josh and his family with this donation. He is such a brave boy who has faced a lot of difficulties and we couldn’t be more honoured to help them.

“This is exactly what our Community Champions scheme is all about. Supporting good causes to make a positive change.”

For more information or to apply for funding through Persimmon’s Community Champions please visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lee Southen .