Member Article

Donation takes boy one step closer to dancing

A housebuilder has donated funds to help a four-year-old boy to walk independently for the first time.

Thomas Balmer from Oxford has received £1,000 from Persimmon Homes Wessex as part of the firm’s Community Champions initiative which provides financial support to good causes across the country.

In 2013, Thomas and his twin brother, Dylan were born ten weeks premature and weighing just three pounds, both had to fight hard to survive.

Fortunately, both boys started to grow strong however at two-years of age, Thomas was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as a result of neurological damage caused by his premature birth.

Since his diagnosis, Thomas has made good progress, but is still unable to stand or walk independently. His family are raising funds for SDR surgery for him to be able to have a better chance of walking and standing on his own.

Dr Brian Balmer, Thomas’ father, said: “Thomas dreams of dancing, and chasing his twin brother, and thanks to Persimmon Homes and other generous supporters, this is looking more and more like a reality.

“The money donated will be used for specialist surgery to prevent painful muscle spasticity which is not currently available on the NHS.

“We now have enough money for the operation, which costs £45,000, but need one last push to fund physiotherapy and aftercare following the operation, a total fundraising target of £75,000.”

Pauline Fletcher, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, added: “The Community Champions initiative is designed to help people just like Thomas who are looking to add to their fundraising attempts.

“We’ve made it really simple to apply for funding, and we’re urging groups and charities to apply for next month’s donation by completing an online form at the Persimmon Homes charity website.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Stuart .