Whats it all about?
Fatboy (aka John Creek) will swim the English Channel from just outside of Dover to Cape Gris Nez in France, between the 8th and 16th August 2012. Allowing for tides etc this will be around 26 miles. It will be between 14-16 degrees and previous swimmers have encountered everything from various forms of sea life to lumps of wood! In doing this the aim is to raise as much money as possible for Molly and Maxwell. All costs for this venture are being covered by Fatboy and family at an estimated cost of over £5,000, So we are looking to raise well in excess of this amount to make it all worthwhile.
Molly:
There is very little known or published about her condition – PHACE Syndrome- All children with PHACE Syndrome are affected in different ways. In Mollys case, she has abnormal arterial formation in her brain which means that some of her blood vessels are narrow, or blocked. They are growing in their own way, so she has none of the normal pattern of vessels you would expect to see. Unfortunately, due to this continuous new vessel formation, an anyeurism appeared and bled in August 2009, and this led to mollys subsequent stroke. The stroke affected Mollys basal ganglia – the part of the brain which controls all motor signals, so she lost her ability to move, speak, swallow. She has come a very long way and now attends her old school in Offord, and although she still needs a wheelchair, she practises walking in a frame every play time, and we are all determined that she will be independent one day. (from Molly’s MUM)
Maxwell
Maxwell was born on the 20th April 2004 with type ll Spinal Muscular Atrophy. This is a very serious condition which means he has many special requirements and is confined to a wheelchair.
SMA is a genetic neuromuscular condition, cells in the spinal cord are damaged which result in a generalised muscle weakness which affect muscle groups all over the body and can cause respiratory and nutritional complications. 1 in 40 of the UK population are thought to be carriers of the gene that cause SMA. type ll.
Onset beetween 3 months and 2 years
Maxwell was diagnosed at 18 months, he is able to sit without any assistance but might fall if not supported adequately. Maxwell cannot lift himself up, and cannot stand without aid. Maxwell has physio each day which entails wearing Kafo’s (leg braces) and the use of a standing frame (Kaye Walker.)
We are in the throes of fundraising for a new powerchair (snapdragon) for Maxwell, as his existing wheelchair is coming to the end of its life.
How to donate:
We have a Donate button in the navigation, allowing you to make a secure personal donation through Paypal. All donations, no matter how small are warmly welcomed and very much appreciated.