Ashley is 11 and has found a hobby, other than PS4 (!) that he loves. It is Powerchair Football. This sport gives Ashley the freedom to take part in a team based activity where every play is on level. He has grown hugely in confidence and just loves going training each week in preparation for the league matches with his new friends.

Since Ashley was diagnosed aged 7, our family has come across the most amazing people offering to complete various challenges to raise funds to research for a treatment for Ashley and others like him. “Action for Ashley“ was set up and volunteers and supporters have raised a whopping £160,000 which has been donated to specific research projects. We needed to do our bit to save our boy from a condition that might, one day, no longer be 100% fatal. We still hold events raising money for research but reluctantly accept that we need to help Ashley in other ways.

Ashley needs a wheelchair specifically for football. As we have found out, having a child with mobility challenges doesn‘t come cheap. The wheelchair is £6200 but it is a one-off purchase, the chair can grow with him. We then need a van to transport the chair to matches but we have an idea for this.

To kick start our fund raising for the sports wheelchair, Ashley’s big sister is taking to the skies after her GCSEs, hopefully July 2019. Melissa has wanted to do a 15,000 ft sky dive since attending one of our events but the minimum age is 16. By her side will be Bec Dunning, one of Ashley’s biggest fans. Bec has attended numerous fund raisers and has already jumped out of a plane for Ashley but wants to do it again by Melissa’s side.

If you can spare a few quid in exchange for Melissa and Bec to throw themselves out of a plane, it will be put to very good use by Ashley, whizzing around at football, thinking he is the next David Beckham.

Thanks for reading.

Lesley, Les, Melissa and Ashley xx