Helen Donlan

Help Rowan Run

Fundraising for Tree of Hope
£27,940
raised of £35,000 target
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Event: Rowan Donlan, on 16 May 2017
Rowan Donlan, 16 May 2017
Tree of Hope

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1149254 In Scotland SC042611
We offer hope to families to transform the lives of sick children

Story

Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

Rowan is a chatty, charming, typical 6-year-old boy - he loves Star Wars, baseball, superheroes and playing computer games with his twin sister and big brother. 

He absolutely loves life and is always smiling... but sometimes life is hard.

Rowan was born 11 weeks early, and as a result he developed Cerebral Palsy.  He was diagnosed aged 18 months, and since then he has struggled to meet his physical milestones.  After a lot of physiotherapy, Rowan now uses a Kaye walker (named Betsy!) and a wheelchair to get around.  However, he tires very quickly and struggles to keep up with his twin and their friends on the playground.  His legs hurt and are very stiff, despite how hard he works at his physiotherapy exercises.

The life-changing SDR surgery is not NHS funded, but will reduce the stiffness in Rowan's legs and allow him much improved mobility, with the aim for him to take his first ever independent steps, and one day... run!

Post surgery Rowan needs at least two years of intensive private Physio, which can cost up to £90 per hour, to give the surgery the best chance of success and allow Rowan to be as independent as possible. This needs to be funded by us as the NHS simply cannot provide the sessions he needs.

We are also looking to make several home and garden adaptations to make our home accessible for Rowan, to allow him to be as independent as possible!

Any donation towards our goal is truly appreciated - please Help Rowan Run!

We would be grateful if you could share this with anyone you think can help.


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

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Share this story

Help Helen Donlan

Sharing this page with your friends could help raise up to 3x more in donations

You can also help by sharing this link on

About the charity

Tree of Hope

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1149254 In Scotland SC042611
All donations are paid into Tree of Hope's general funds which fund our charitable activities. Our charitable activities are focused on raising & managing funds for medical treatment, therapy & equipment for sick & disabled children. England & Wales 1149254 Scotland SCO4261 www.treeofhope.org.uk

Donation summary

Total raised
£27,939.08
+ £1,672.34 Gift Aid
Online donations
£12,801.10
Offline donations
£15,137.98

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.