Three-Year-Old Scarborough Boy Launches National Campaign To Help Children Gain Independence

A three-year-old boy from Scarborough has helped launch a national fundraising campaign to provide specialist mobility equipment for thirty children across the UK.

Specialist mobility equipment will be provided to thirty children across the UK thanks to a new national fundraising campaign launched by a three-year-old boy from Scarborough.

Percy Whitehead has officially started the "30 for 30" mission on behalf of The Movement Centre, a charity based in Shropshire that provides targeted training physiotherapy for youngsters.

The campaign aims to find thirty businesses, organisations, or individuals willing to raise or donate £1,500 each. The resulting £45,000 cash pot will ensure every child currently waiting for specialist physiotherapy receives a dedicated standing frame to begin their journey towards independence.

Percy’s mother, Sarah Whitehead, said:

"The team at The Movement Centre have been wonderful for Percy. His development has been incredible and I can honestly say he wouldn’t be where he is without them.

The standing frames they provide challenge Percy beyond anything that the NHS ones do and the progress he has made is testament to the team and the support they give."

The first £1,500 donation to kickstart the fund came from Nigel West and his family, who own Fiveways Insurance Group. They also provided an additional £500 to refurbish two further standing frames.

The West family experienced the impact of the charity firsthand after their godson, Jacob, completed the programme when he was four years old. Now aged twenty, Jacob attributes his physical strength and independence to the physiotherapy he received at the centre.

Nigel West said:

"When we heard there were 30 children patiently waiting to access the brilliant Targeted Training physiotherapy programme at The Movement Centre, we knew we wanted to help.

Every day a young child is forced to wait for this life changing programme, which means they are losing precious time when they could be making a real difference to their mobility.

We have seen the difference The Movement Centre made to Jacob and his family and want others to enjoy the same success.

It might be the case that a child wants to be able to hold their head up or stand at a table or join in with siblings.

Every milestone for that individual child is vital and we hope the child who benefits from the Fiveways sponsored 12-month programme sees an improvement in their daily lives."

The charity, which shares a site with the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen, receives no government or NHS funding.

Chief Executive Officer at The Movement Centre, Helen Knight, said:

"We’ve reached a point whereby there are many children who could benefit from our therapy, but we simply don’t have the resources to help them.

Our supporters have the power to transform 30 lives right now. Whether through corporate CSR programmes, workplace challenges, team away days or community fundraising, raising £1,500 directly changes a child’s life trajectory. We want to rally 30 champions across the region to help us reach this goal.

It would be amazing if we could say ‘we’ve raised £45,000’ before Christmas and give each of the 30 families on the waiting list an early Christmas present.

Starting the fundraising today gives you plenty of time."

Head of Fundraising at the charity, Claire Snape, highlighted the importance of early intervention for children with movement disabilities.

Claire Snape said:

"As a charity, which doesn’t receive any NHS or Government funding, we can say there’s never been a more important time to support us.

We want to be making those special phone calls, telling families that the generous people from across the region have funded their child’s place - now that would be so special for all involved.

Every standing frame funded by a supporter enables one child to come off the waiting list and begin therapy during the crucial early years of development.

Early intervention is vital for children with movement disabilities. Delays in accessing specialist therapy can mean missed opportunities to develop strength, balance and independence during critical stages of growth."

Anyone wishing to pledge £1,500 to the appeal can contact the charity by emailing claire.s@themovementcentre.co.uk or by calling 01691 404248.