Alkrington family raise money for £60,000 operation

Nicholas Bamforth

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The Bamforth family aim to raise £60, 000 to travel to America so that their eight-year-old son Nicholas can undergo a life changing operation, Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR).

Nicholas Bamforth, from Alkrington in Middleton, suffers from Hemiplegia, a form of cerebal palsy. He is described by friends and family as a “bright, happy, funny and very determined little boy.”

The planned operation will be performed at the St Louis Children's Hospital in Missouri. Dr Park, who will carry out the operation, has been performing this operation for over 28 years. He has operated on over 2,000 children with a 100% success rate.

As this operation is unavailable on the NHS, the Bamforth family, along with their friends have set out to raise the money needed for this operation through multiple fundraising events, to improve young Nicholas’ way of life.

Dr Park and his medical team expect Nicholas to eventually have a normal sitting and standing posture, an improved balance, almost-normal walking, no leg splints and normal muscle tone. They also expect him to be able to participate in recreational sports and other fitness activities.

The Bamforth’s are hoping to travel to America in February for the operation, if they have raised the total amount.

Nicholas’ SDR Fund is now a registered charity. This charity has been selected to be the charity of the year, for Middleton Rotary Club. The Rotary Club will also help the charity by organising events, such as garden parties with afternoon tea.

The fundraising began when Nicholas’ sister, 14-year-old Grace Bamforth organised a sponsored run at Heaton Park with her friends. The success of this fundraising sparked other ideas, and since then, various types of events have been completed in order to raise money.

A coffee morning and cake sale at St Thomas More Church hall raised £1,000.

Family friend, Rob Hallworth, completed a sponsored bike race from Manchester to Blackpool.

Nicholas’ mother, Catherine Bamforth said: “Our friend Karen successfully completed her abseil of the black box in terrible weather conditions. She had amazing support.”

The family have set up an online eBay charity shop, to sell any unwanted items which are donated to them. All of the proceeds made from this will go to the charity.

One friend is all geared up to complete a parachute jump this weekend (14/15 July), weather permitting. An organised bag pack at Tesco in Middleton is also set for this weekend (Saturday 14 July, 10:00am).

Mrs Bamforth spoke of their future fundraising events. She said: “We are organising an event at Lancashire Health Club on Heywood Old Road, on 18 August. It will feature various entertainment and food. We are currently in the process of asking businesses for raffle prizes for this.

“We will also organise a quiz night and family disco for the new school term; then Christmas parties to raise more money.”

Nicholas Bamforth, who attends St Thomas More RC Primary School, was the very first applicant in modern times for the Mayors Poor and Sick Childrens Aid (Middleton). He was successful in being granted this scheme, and has been awarded £500.

Mrs Bamforth and her husband, Mark said: “At the moment, Nicholas wears leg splints every day to help his balance. He can walk but gets tired very easily, he often trips and falls. This is because the muscle tone in his legs is always very tight. Any physical activity needs him to work extra hard and even though he always tries his best, sometimes he feels very upset that he cannot be like his friends.

“Nicholas is currently unable to ride a bike or climb a climbing frame. He often needs his wheel chair for long distances, such as going shopping or to the park.

“Nicholas thinks he is ‘rubbish’ at activities which other children take for granted. Our aim is to give Nicholas the chance to be the same as the rest of his peers.”

Nicholas has four siblings: Sean, 16, Grace, 14, Lucy, 11 and Orla, two.

Mrs Bamforth said: “The other children are not fully aware of the extent we are going to, to raise money and how much effort we are putting in. It is like having a full time job.”

To donate to Nicholas Bamforth’s SDR Fund: https://www.justgiving.com/NicholasBamforthsdrfund