Liam Green
Cheers4Chester - Liam's London Marathon 2022
Fundraising for Just4Children
Story
Running the London marathon has always been a 'bucket list' thing for me, especially because of the opportunity to raise much needed funds for my handsome and cheeky friend Chester 'Chezzy' Walton. You can read more about his story elsewhere (https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/cheers4chester), but Chezzy is the son of some of my best friends Ben and Sam Walton and an incredible little boy. Unfortunately, Chezzy was diagnosed with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy shortly after birth in 2016 (he's 1 week older than my Jack!). Ben and Sam have led everyone on an incredible journey to successfully raise funds for SDR surgery in 2020.
Chester is now 18 months post op and has to have daily therapy including physio, stretches, strength & conditioning, swimming, horse riding, using additional equipment like his power plate at home and working on his walking in a new walking frame. His therapy on a weekly basis is around 12-15 hours plus little bursts throughout the day at any time we can get him to participate. This is all necessary in order for his operation to have the best lasting effect and get him walking!
Chezzy doesn't get ANY therapy on the NHS at all so self fund all of this, costing upwards of £1300 per month, plus travel expenses and intensive blocks every 3-4 months. We have and will need to purchase additional equipment to use at home as he progresses.
He will have to have this level of therapy for the next couple of years and then it will slightly decrease.
So far he has made incredible progress, it is slow and takes a lot of time and perseverance but thanks to the surgery and the work he has put in so far he is now starting to take steps in a walking frame around the house. He has a long way to go but none of it would have been possible without the support we have had so far.
The money raised in 2020 covered surgery and Ben and Sam do still have a small amount left but we will need to keep fundraising regularly to make sure Chester can keep up the regular therapy he needs.
It's a huge honour to try and raise money for this absolute dynamite little boy. He deserves every penny and so much more. I hope I do you proud Chezzy boy, love you. A huge thank you to anyone who can support during difficult times like these. Liam.
