Meet Jack — our bright, determined boy who has spent his life defying the odds.

Jack has a severe developmental delay and severe learning disability. He’s also non-verbal, but he has the most incredible way of communicating through his eyes, laughter, and joy. Every milestone has taken time and perseverance — he didn’t learn to walk until he was six and a half — but Jack never gives up. His strength and spirit inspire everyone who knows him.

Jack absolutely loves sensory experiences, and water is his absolute favourite. The pool is his happy place — a space where he feels free, calm, and full of life. The sparkle in his eyes when he’s in the water says it all.

However, Jack has an unsafe swallow, which puts him at serious risk of aspiration pneumonia if water goes the wrong way. It’s something we have to be very careful about, but we don’t want to take away the one thing that brings him so much happiness.

He tries so hard to join in, even flipping himself forward face-first just to reach the water — determined as ever! To help Jack stay safe while doing what he loves, we’ve been recommended a Danmar Neck Float and Combination Support Bar, specialist equipment from the United States that will properly support his head and body in the water.

Unfortunately, this life-changing equipment is only available in the U.S. and comes with significant costs for purchase and shipping.

We’re fundraising to help Jack continue swimming safely — so he can keep experiencing the joy, calm, and freedom the water gives him.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps Jack stay safe while doing what he loves most.

Thank you so much for your kindness, generosity, and support — you’re helping make the world brighter for one very special boy.

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.