BY KATIE BALDWIN
A NINE-year-old boy with a rare bone disease is looking forward to a mobile new year thanks to a mammoth fundraising effort.
Brothers Jack and Lewis Bird both have genetic disorder Morquio's Disease, so their spines stopped growing at the age of three but their internal organs and limbs continue, putting huge pressure on their chests.
The youngsters from Leeds - one of only two known sets of siblings in the world with the illness - will have a drastically reduced lifespan and nine-year-old Jack has to use a wheelchair.
Until now he only had a conventional chair but thanks to the White Rose Centre in Morley, Leeds, he can finally whizz about independently, join in with his friends and enjoy days out with parents Paul and Julie.
Shoppers, staff and contractors raised more than £8,000 in just seven weeks and bought Jack an electric wheelchair through the Shopmobility store in the centre.
It was given to Jack as a surprise early Christmas present.
His dad Paul said: "Jack's face was a picture. We are astonished at the generosity of everybody at the centre and would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped us.
"This means so much to us as a family because we can now enjoy days out together – and I will also be able to take both boys out on my own for the first time ever."
Kindness
The cash was raised through donations at the centre's Christmas Grotto, fundraising events and an ongoing sponsored slim by centre manager Peter Cook.
Mr Cook said: "White Rose is a centre for the community and we were delighted to be able to channel that community spirit towards helping Jack and his family.
"I never fail to be amazed by the kindness of people who work in and visit White Rose and this year they have excelled themselves with a record amount of money raised in such a short space of time."
Since the boys' story was reported in the YEP in August, readers have rallied round.
A massive £20,000 has been collected, which has gone towards a special car for the family so the wheelchair can be transported.
"Everything has come together at once. We have been loaned a set of ramps so we can get the wheelchair in and out of the car," said Paul, from Cookridge.
He said they still needed about £8,000 to pay for the car in full and the adaptations. In future, five-year-old Lewis will need an electric wheelchair too.
Among the contributions to the fundraising have been events organised by Neville Hill Social Club in Osmondthorpe, fundraising by Cookridge firefighters, football matches and bag packs, and donations by individuals and organisations.
l For more information about Jack and Lewis or to make a donation, write to P0 Box 234, Leeds, LS16 0AR, or send a cheque payable to JLMF.