The mum of a five-year-old boy with cerebral palsy wants to say a huge thank you to residents in South Holland who are helping raise £50,000 for life-changing surgery in America.
Every day is a struggle for Jenson Ford, who is in constant pain and has to wear leg splints, have Botox injections and endure intensive physiotherapy.
In October last year he was accepted for special surgery at a hospital in St Louis, Missouri – but the family only has a few more weeks to raise the money needed.
Jenson lives with mum, Katie, dad Ian, and brother Cameron (9) in Gunthorpe, near Peterborough.
Katie said: “The surgery (Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy) would make a massive amount of difference to Jenson. It would remove all the spasticity in his right leg and enable him to walk without splints and pain.
“Jenson has an older brother and he wants to do everything the same and he would be able to after this. He’s been measured up for a wheelchair for school trips, but wouldn’t need it either.
“It’s been heartbreaking seeing him in pain, but he’s a cheeky little money and not at all shy – and so brave.
“You want the best for your children – and we have been overwhelmed by the support we have had.
“We would especially like to say a massive thank you to the people of the Spalding area for offering help.”
So far £26,000 has been raised at events, including bag packs, a fire walk and school Christmas fairs.
Spalding’s Monkshouse Primary and Garth schools are among those taking part in a dress down day on Friday, February 1.
The trip to America will be Jenson’s first time on a plane. Katie said: “He won’t be nervous at all. At the moment he just wants to know what there will be to eat.
“We’d all like to go to begin with, but it depends on how much we can raise.”
l Visit Jenson’s Journey Facebook page or www.jensonsjourney.co.uk