Edward is a bright, loving and incredibly brave little boy who lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 (SMA Type 1) — a rare genetic condition that causes severe muscle weakness and affects the muscles needed for breathing, swallowing and movement.

Before treatments became available, the prognosis for babies diagnosed with SMA Type 1 was devastating, with around 95% of children not surviving past the age of two without treatment. SMA is still recognised as the leading genetic cause of death in infants and young children, and living with the condition brings enormous daily challenges.

Edward was diagnosed as a baby, and from that moment our world changed forever. Life quickly became filled with hospital visits, specialist care, medical equipment and ongoing therapies. Despite everything he faces, Edward continues to show incredible strength and determination. He has a beautiful spirit and brings so much joy to everyone who meets him.

Living with SMA means Edward requires ongoing specialist care, therapies and medical equipment to support his health, comfort and development. While we are incredibly grateful for the care he receives through the NHS, many therapies and pieces of equipment that can significantly improve his quality of life are not fully funded or available.

We are therefore fundraising with the support of Tree of Hope to help provide Edward with the additional care and support he needs.

Funds raised will help pay for intensive physiotherapy, specialist respiratory support, private therapies, mobility equipment, assistive technology, medical equipment, and travel for specialist appointments.

Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly towards helping Edward access the care and support that can improve his quality of life.

Thank you for supporting Edward and being part of his journey.

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 our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, they will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives. If, in those circumstances, we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child, any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.