Thousands raised for boy with cerebral palsy

Hundreds of people took part in a Mud Run in Eaton Mascott, Shropshire, on Saturday, facing mud pits, lake dunks, water slides and more.

Among them was a team of five running for Stop Being Tight – a campaign to raise the funding for Henry Gibbs to fight muscle tightness caused by cerebral palsy and give him the opportunity to walk independently.

Carmen Roldán Blasco decided to head up a team and take on the challenge of a 12k run over some of Shropshire’s “toughest terrain”.

Carmen works at Psycle Interactive in Whitchurch alongside Henry’s dad Jacob, who also took on the run.

They were joined by Rachel Hancock, aged 44, of Hitchin, Hollie Cale, 32, of Shrewsbury, and Rhea Alton, 36, of Bayston Hill.

Carmen said: “I have known Jacob since October 2014 – at that point Henry was only four months old and had already proven to be a real fighter!

“When Jacob told me he and Kerrie had started a fundraising campaign so Henry could have a life-changing operation I knew I wanted to help them to reach the target.

“After doing a bit of research I found out about the UK Mud Run. A 12k run in mid-November seemed to be a really tough challenge.

“I managed to convince a group of friends and we all started to spread the word, sharing Henry’s story and asking for sponsorship.

“The run was really tough. It took us more than two hours to go over all the obstacles. I don’t think any of us had ever done anything like this before, but it was definitely worth it!

“I am so pleased with the money we have raised, and I am sure there will be more to come.”

Henry was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy in 2016 at the age of two and without specialist surgery and follow-up physiotherapy he faces regular leg casting throughout his life and ultimately will need a wheelchair.

Jacob, his wife Kerrie, of Stafford, and their friends and family have already taken on a number of charity events to raise funds, including the Stafford 10k on September 24 and a fun day on September 9 at Holmcroft Youth and Community Centre in Stafford.

The campaign aims to raise the £50,000 needed for Henry to have selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery and the necessary physiotherapy.

Total fundraising now stands at just over £27,000, with 55 people already having taken on challenges.

The UK Mud Run is described as a run tackling the elements, Shropshire’s toughest terrain and raw obstacles designed to test stamina, strength, fitness, will-power and more.

It includes mud, hills, bog, marshland, lakes, river crossings, tunnels, mud walls, water slides, trenches, head dunks and more.

A fundraising ball will be held at the Tillington Hall Hotel, Stafford, on March 3, 2018. Tickets will be available to buy through the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stopbeingtight

To donate to the Stop Being Tight campaign visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/stopbeingtight