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Family raises cash for poorly Jack
A little boy who suffers from a rare illness is close to getting the pioneering treatment he needs.
Jack Ball has an illness known as pectus carinatum, also known as pigeon chest, and needs a brace to be fitted around his upper body to restrict the growth of his rib cage.
As the operation is only available in the United States, Jack's mother and father, Charlotte and Steven, have have launched an appeal to raise money for tickets to fly over to America and pay for the brace to be fitted.
And, since starting their fund-raising drive at the end of August, the couple have almost reached their target of 7,000.
They currently have 4,500 and are expecting another 2,000 from a sponsored walk from Wigan Pier to Rivington Hall Barn, which took place last month.
Charlotte, from Pemberton, said: "Thanks to the very kind donations we have been receiving, we should be able to fly out to America at the beginning of November.
"All of our friends and family have come together to donate, which has been fantastic.
"Steven's uncles, who live in Ireland, even gave us 3,200 and 500 has been raised among the customers and staff at The Pear Tree pub, on Frog Lane.
"The fact that we have been able to raise such a large amount of money in a short space of time goes to show that people out there really care about Jack.
"He can't wait to get on the plane over to the US."
Click next page for more ...Jack, who has just started his first year at Lamberhead Green Community Primary School, will be treated by Pectus Services LLC, which is based in New Jersey, in the eastern US.
The group specialises in custom-fitted chest-wall braces that push directly on the sternum to restrict the growth of the rib cage.
Charlotte said: "He had a little scare at school last week when he was playing outside and fell over.
"While he is without the brace we do worry about him, but we don't want to be overly cautious.
"Once he does have the operation his confidence will grow and we can start to worry a little less about the illness affecting him."
To donate money, or to organise your own fund-raising event for Jack, call Charlotte on 07771605166.
You can also contact the Evening Post's Adnan Aljilani for help in publicising your event.
Contact him on 01942 506283 or e-mail adnan.aljilani@lancspublications.co.uk
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Friday 25 May 2012
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