Staff at Wigan firm dig deep so schoolboy can have vital surgery

Five-year-old Reuben Aslett has cerebral palsy and relies on a wheelchair due to the tightness of the muscles in his legs.

An operation is available to reduce this spasticity, but his family had to raise £16,000 to pay for it, as Reuben does not qualify through the NHS.

Thankfully, Billinge firm Metro Rod came forward to help raise the money.

Reuben’s uncle Jamie Harrison works there as an engineer and everyone at the firm got involved in the fund-raisiing effort, helping to raise the majority of the money needed for the surgery.

Managing director Peter Molloy held a collection at the company’s head office and matched the amount donated.

Fund-raising also included a raffle for a hamper, which raised £500, with Metro Rod adding a further £200, and there are plans for a virtual bike ride.

Kate Ashurst, a personal assistant at Metro Rod, said: “Obviously a lot of us in the business have little ones ourselves, so it has been quite touching that we can help him, especially because his uncle works for Metro Rod.”

Reuben, who attends Hope School, recently visited the drainage and plumbing firm to have a look around and was given his own uniform.

His mum Laura Harrison, from Worsley Mesnes, is delighted with the support.

She said: “Metro Rod have done quite a lot for him. They just keep doing more and more. The owners have matched what the staff have put in. They have made a massive chunk of the £16,000.”

Reuben’s surgery at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool was recently brought forward from October 2021 to July.

Laura said: “With the surgery, now it’s just a matter of waiting. The older he gets, the bigger he is and his muscles are getting tighter.”

Reducing the spasticity in Reuben’s legs will make it much easier for Laura to care for him and do simple tasks.

“He crosses his legs as soon as you pick him up, so when you are trying to dress him, it’s really hard,” she said.

“Once they have done surgery, all the tightness will disappear and hopefully he might be able to come off his muscle relaxant, so that’s one less medication to take.”

Fund-raising for Reuben will continue, with a target of £20,000 to pay for the surgery and physiotherapy he will need afterwards.

It is hoped Reuben’s quality of life will be much improved and while there is a possibility the surgery could help him to walk one day, the main focus is on releasing the tightness in his legs.

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