Jem’s Story

At birth, Jem faced extreme complications, spending significant time in a neonatal unit. He experienced a HIE (hypoxic-ischemic event), which led to his diagnosis of cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and profound learning disabilities.

Unfortunately, over the past few years, Jem’s condition has regressed significantly. After previously walking independently, Jem now requires a walking frame to move around at school and spends a lot of time in his current wheelchair. Reduced movement has caused him to lose muscle mass, and his epilepsy has worsened, with Jem experiencing multiple seizures daily, impacting his quality of life.

Jem LOVES going on day trips and adventures. However, we are limited in where we can go because his current wheelchair isn’t equipped to handle even the Manchester cobbles, let alone the countryside, seaside, or beyond! Add in the typical English weather, and we are often defeated before we’ve even set out.

Why We Need Your Help

Last year, we began searching for the right mobility aid for Jem. Unfortunately, such equipment isn’t supplied by the NHS.

We met Roger from the Mountain Trike Company, who demonstrated the MT ePush, an all-terrain wheelchair with electric assist. This wheelchair has mountain bike wheels and electric assistance, enabling us to tackle steep hills and tricky terrain for greater adventures. Jem could even visit the beach — which he LOVES!

The barrier is the cost. The wheelchair alone costs over £8,000.

On top of that, hydrotherapy is an essential activity that really helps Jem. It involves working his muscles in a specialist, heated pool to maintain his strength, stamina, and mobility. We also want to fund other vital therapies, such as physio, rebound therapy, occupational therapy, and play therapy, all tailored to Jem’s multiple support needs.

Our Goal

We are setting our fundraising goal at £10,000 to help cover the cost of the all-terrain wheelchair and therapies.

This would be life-changing for Jem, allowing him to enjoy more fun, outdoor adventures while improving his overall health and well-being as he enters his teenage years and beyond.

How You Can Help

We would love to provide this for Jem, but the cost is far beyond our reach.

Any donation, large or small, will help us achieve this goal and give Jem the opportunity to explore the world with more freedom and joy.

Thank you so much for your time, care, and kindness. Jem is raring to go on adventures!

With love, Dan, Solange, Jem, and Seb xxxx

Important Information:

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient or surplus funds, the money will be used to support Jem’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives. If funds cannot be used for Jem, they will be transferred to Tree of Hope’s general charitable purposes.