TWO parents are appealing for help so their four-year-old son can walk unaided for the first time and so he does not face an adult life bound to a wheelchair.
Jace Webberley’s parents have already raised more than £11,000 towards their boy’s life-changing surgery, but still need more donations to hit their target.
The Crewkerne pre-schooler currently needs the support of a walker to get around as he has cerebral palsy.
Louisa Webberley and her partner Tony Willcox, who are originally from Ilminster, are trying to raise £40,000 to pay for an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy.
Louisa, Jace’s mum, said: “Seeing Jace walking freely would mean the world to us. As a Mum the only thing you want is the best in life for your child.
“Being able to see Jace walk and run without the need for a walker would just be truly amazing.
“It’s heart-breaking when he gets pain in his legs “There’s nothing I can do about it other than keeping on top of his physio, which we do about four times a day just to stop his muscles getting too tight.
“This operation is the best thing we can do to give Jace the best opportunity in life.”
The surgery involves cutting nerves at the bottom of Jace’s spine which will reduce spasticity in his body, enabling him to stand and walk unaided after intensive physiotherapy.
There is a two-year recovery period with physiotherapy three times a week. This cost is included in the £40,000.
Louisa added: “Jace was born with Cerebral Palsy which was diagnosed at 18 months old. We need to raise the £40,000 within two years to prevent the need for further operations.”
So far, fundraisers have been held by Somerset FA, Palmer’s Garden Centre in Yeovil and Tatty Bumpkins yoga classes.
Tony and Louisa have been working hard themselves, although Louisa recently gave birth putting her fundraising efforts on a short pause.
People have held sponsored runs to support the cause, and Tony and Jace are set to take on their own distance challenge in Portsmouth in October.
Jace will be walking a mile in the Mini Simplyhealth Great South Run and the family is hoping to get £1,000 from that event alone.
Plans are also in place for bag packs, summer fun days and pub barbecues.
To find out more about the fundraising, and to donate in support of Jace, visit facebook.com/JacesSDRJourney.
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