A CHRISTMAS fundraising campaign to make a young boy’s dream come true is coming on in strides.
Earlier this month the SNJ launched its festive appeal to raise money to pay for a life-changing surgery for four-year-old Archie Crowther from Quedgeley.
Archie, who has cerebral palsy, needs £85,000 to pay for pioneering surgery which would give him the ability to walk without his crutches or frame.
The energetic little football fan currently lives in Quedgeley with his mum Charlotte, dad Luke and eight-year-old half-sister Jasmine.
His family have been working tirelessly over the past few months to organise fundraising events across the county.
Last month Archie’s dad Luke and others took part in the Stroud marathon. With Archie cheering them on, the team completed the race and raised around £1,500 in sponsorship money.
A few weeks later the family held a spooky Halloween disco which raised £500, while a recent bag-packing day in Tesco Quedgeley raised over £600.
During this time Archie has been continuing his physiotherapy sessions in Rodborough to try and strengthen his muscles, as well as an intense physio course in Cardiff.
In the latest fundraising event on Saturday dozens flocked to Gloster Swing Dance to jive and swing dance in aid of Archie, bringing the total up to more than £12,000.
But there is still a long way to go to reach the £85,000 mark needed for Archie’s pioneering treatment.
This money would go towards the operation, after-care, and travel for the family, who would have to stay by Archie’s side in the US for five to six weeks.
On his return to the UK he would then have intensive physio four times a week to help him find his feet and build muscle strength.
“To reach that sum of money would mean the absolute world to us,” said mum Charlotte.
“It would be the best Christmas present ever. All we want is for Archie to have the independence he deserves.”
The SNJ is urging all our readers to join our Help Archie To Walk campaign and make this little boy’s dream a reality.
You can donate to Archie via his Virgin Money page here: http://goo.gl/41Gy95
- If you would like to hold an event to raise money, please contact Jamie Wiseman on 01453769422.
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