THE FAMILY of a Bromsgrove schoolboy is battling to raise £15,000 for a life-changing operation he has been denied because of NHS cuts.
Twelve-year-old Mason Jackson, who attends Chadsgrove Special School in Catshill, was born with cerebral palsy which was caused by a lack of oxygen when he was first born.
The condition has left him blind, epileptic and with very stiff muscles – making him very uncomfortable and sometimes difficult to care for.
So far more than £10,000 has been raised – the money will be used for a selective dorsal rhizotomy operation which will cut nerves in Mason’s spinal cord allowing his quality of life to be improved drastically and will make him much more comfortable and happier.
Mason’s sister Abby said he was a very happy boy who enjoyed life, music – especially ACDC and absolutely loved his food.
She added his favourite things to do were swimming and trampolining.
A group of Bromsgrove teachers will be fund-raising with a sponsored bell ring at Bromsgrove’s St John’s Church tomorrow (Saturday).
On the day there will be people collecting donations on the High Street, between 11am and 12.30pm.
Mason’s teacher Bec Sable and three teaching assistants have been practising since June.
In aid of his cause, the group has already raised around £500 by completing the three peaks challenge – a national event which sees participants climb the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours.
Bec Sable said: “Mason has always got a smile on his face – he is so pleased to be in school, meeting his friends.
“It’s so nice to be able to do something nice for him.
“I think we are all a bit nervous – I think when we first started we just thought it would be a bit of us having a go on the ropes and it would be easy but it’s not like that at all, there is a real skill to it.”
Amanda Campbell, Mason’s mum, said: “It has been brilliant, absolutely fantastic – we started in May and in a matter of weeks it exploded into a fund-raising frenzy.
“The first few weeks I was getting so emotional – I just could not believe how people kept jumping on board.
“We really appreciate what Bec and the other teachers are doing for Mason – I would like to offer my heart-felt thanks, I am so grateful.”
Mason and his family are hoping he will be able to have his operation before Christmas.
Visit www.justgiving.com/masonsdr/ for more.
