Five-year-old boy set for life-changing surgery

Thanks to the 'amazing' support from the friends, family and the community, an five-year-old boy with cerebral palsy is set for a life-changing operation.
The Hudson family Lee, Thomas and Joanne from Cabus, near Garstang, celebrate raising enough money to book Thomas' SDR surgery.The Hudson family Lee, Thomas and Joanne from Cabus, near Garstang, celebrate raising enough money to book Thomas' SDR surgery.
The Hudson family Lee, Thomas and Joanne from Cabus, near Garstang, celebrate raising enough money to book Thomas' SDR surgery.

Thomas Hudson, from Cabus, along with family and friends, has raised the £16,000 needed to pay for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery which could dramatically improve his condition.

The operation is used to improve spasticity (muscle stiffness) in people with cerebral palsy.

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The final bits of the cash were raised after the community rallied around at various events throughout 2016 and Thomas’ family say they are “overwhelmed”.

Photo Neil Cross
Thomas Hudson, five, with mum JoPhoto Neil Cross
Thomas Hudson, five, with mum Jo
Photo Neil Cross Thomas Hudson, five, with mum Jo

Thomas’ pregnant mum Joanne said: “It’s been an amazing achievement over the past 10-12 weeks with great support from friends, family, local businesses, and the community.

“All the more so because we have had a tough few months as a family getting through a complicated pregnancy where I have been on bed rest so to have been able to reach this milestone at this time is humbling and just shows what support is out there.”

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But the fundraising won’t stop now. The surgery will see Thomas need months of physio and his family hope to raise a further £7,000 to pay for it.

Photo Neil Cross
Thomas Hudson, fivePhoto Neil Cross
Thomas Hudson, five
Photo Neil Cross Thomas Hudson, five

“We now need to focus on raising money for therapy - physio, horse riding, hydro therapy, for pre and post op,” Joanne said.

“We want to work hard with Thomas running upto the operation to ensure he is as fit and strong as possible in the hope this will aid his rehabilitation after the operation.”

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The family are now £7,000 short of their £25,000 target and have a number of events lined up in 2017.

Photo Neil Cross
Thomas Hudson, five, with mum JoPhoto Neil Cross
Thomas Hudson, five, with mum Jo
Photo Neil Cross Thomas Hudson, five, with mum Jo

These include family Bingo at Cockerham Village Hall on February 17 with a bar, a raffle and prizes; an Italian hamper raffle at Guy’s Thatched Hamlet on Valentines Day and a family garden party on May 1 being held at the Tea Cosy Tea Room at Middle Holly Cottage B&B.

To donate to Thomas’ appeal go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/treatmentforthomas

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