Working hard for
Christopher's future…
The Christopher Anderson Fund was originally set up to help pay for building work necessary to adapt Christopher’s home in line to his needs. Owing to his mobility difficulties, he needed a purpose-built ground floor bedroom and bathroom, and the rest of the ground floor and garden areas had to be modified in order to be accessible.
The building work cost £38,000 and the Fund was kept open to pay for additional equipment that Christopher will need on an ongoing basis. These will include wheelchairs, walking frames and specially designed car seats, as well as any medical treatment that becomes necessary.
Fundraising Events
A whole host of fundraising events have been organised to help the Fund; we’re reliant on people giving generously in so many ways, out of the goodness of their hearts. Here are just a few of the ways in which funds have been raised for Christopher…
The fundraising began with a sponsored 10km wheelchair marathon around Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground. With a little assistance, Christopher got round the course in an hour and 45 minutes, coming second in the under 16 pushed category. The event raised over £1,500, and a donation was made to the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH), who have given the Andersons huge support from the moment Christopher was born.
Since then, events have taken place regularly. A local lady rode her bicycle from Fleetwood to Manchester, raising £500; there was also a Christmas carol service at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Blackpool, and a raffle at Thingymajigz play centre.
2006’s fundraising efforts culminated in legendary entertainer Keith Harris, alongside Orville and Cuddles, performing a live show at the Bourne Poacher pub in Thornton at the beginning of December. Food and raffle prizes were donated by local shops and businesses, and a fantastic time was had by all. The night was a huge success, raising in excess of £1,700.
Of course, that's just the tip of the iceberg: more events are planned for throughout 2007, and you can find out about them right here!
Other Organisations
A number of organisations provide all kinds of valuable services to Christopher and his family, and things might be very different were it not for their assistance. Key among these is Special Kids in the UK, a group run by and for parents of children with special needs. Special Kids in the UK provides support and information on all manner of issues affecting families, with a secure online forum for parents and carers to seek and offer advice.
With over 800 members, Special Kids in the UK is also a nationwide network of friends which organises get-togethers and nights out for families. They’re great people who have become great friends of the Andersons. Click here to visit their site and find out more.
The Association for Wheelchair Children, meanwhile, provides wheelchairs and wheelchair training for children with mobility difficulties. They run free courses around the country, promoting confident and safe wheelchair use including road safety and climbing stairs. It was at one of their events that Christopher realised his own skill with a wheelchair, and was able to dash about like other, able-bodied kids his age. Click here to visit their site.
The Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (ASBAH) is the leading UK registered charity providing information and advice about spina bifida and hydrocephalus. ASBAH has been a great help to Christopher's family, and in recognition of this support, some of the funds raised from the wheelchair marathon at Old Trafford were donated to the Association. Click here to visit their official site.
