By LIZ GRIFFITHS [email protected]
A young boy suffering from cerebral palsy who loves nothing more than spending his holidays in the Algarve needs to have an operation in the US to help advance his ability to walk.
The operation, called Selective Dorsol Rhizotomy, can only be done in America and at a cost of 40,000 pounds sterling.
Family and friends are now in the process of raising the money to allow Jake Storr to reach his full potential in life and enhance his experiences in the Algarve.
Jake currently walks with a frame and crutches and also uses a wheelchair. He attends Paces School in Sheffield for his physical needs and Holton le Clay Junior School for his socialising skills.
During the holidays, his favourite place to visit is the Algarve, where he is able to participate in activities such as swimming and tasting the cuisine the Algarve has to offer.
Jake loves to visit Zoomarine, where he watches the animal shows and the water rapids. He also enjoys visiting the beach and being in the sea.
His grandmother, Jan Burgess, told the Algarve Resident: “Jake enjoyed the castle in Silves and managed to walk, with help from us, most of the way round and pretended to shoot the villains from the holes. The ice cream sundaes in Silves are also a big hit with Jake!
“Staying at our friends, Gill and Jim Bradley, gives him some freedom to move around because of their large garden area. While in the Algarve, Jake swims really well and nearly does it independently but when home he is unable to practice this as much. Jake also has a very good appetite and enjoys his food while on holiday, never leaving anything.”
Funds need to be raised to enable Jake to have the operation by March 2010 because of his age.
Jake’s family has set up a Paypal account for people to make donations.
People have also been fundraising with collection tins in shops and offices, parachute and bungee jumps, non-uniform days in schools and golfing competitions.
You can become a member of the Support Jake Walking group on Facebook where there is a link to the Paypal account for any donations towards Jake’s operation.
Cheques can also be made payable to Jake Storr funds, 61 Lindsey Drive, Holton-Le-Clay, Grimsby, DN36 5EX
For more information, please contact Jan Burgess on (0044) 01472 597579 or by email at [email protected]
