A Manx charity that helps boys with a degenerative condition is celebrating a major fundraising landmark.
In just eight months Finley’s Tracks, which aims to provide assistance to local boys who live with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), has raised over £25,000 through donations and fundraising efforts.
Affecting around one in every 3,500 boys, DMD is a progressive and life-limiting illness that causes muscular degeneration. The life expectancy for sufferers is around 25 and most are dependent on a wheelchair by the age of 12.
On top of a host of fundraising events such as stalls, dress down days a bingo night at Quids Inn, more intrepid fundraisers have completed the London Marathon, cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats and conquered the Toughmann adventure challenge in order to raise money.
Named after six-year-old Onchan boy Finley Hesketh, Finley’s Tracks was created to help every local boy who lives with DMD.
Chairperson Donna Harrison said: ‘We are absolutely overwhelmed at the reaction and support from the people in the Isle of Man who support Finley’s Tracks.
‘The charity has three objectives. To raise awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in the Isle of Man, provide equipment and treatment for sufferers and support the search for a cure.’
‘Initially we just wanted to raise money for equipment and funding research,’ Donna said.
‘As we got to understand the implications of living with DMD it was apparent that there is a vast amount of expensive equipment and adaptations that are required.
‘Many of the people who have raised funds are very keen buy an all-terrain wheelchair for Finley. We’d love to do that and be in a position in future to offer wheelchairs to any boy that needs them.’
As well as supporting the Hesketh family, the charity has helped 11-year-old James Barr gain access to his garden under his own power for the first time in three years.
With supplies and tools provided by MACs builder’s merchants, Yesss electrical, JC Haulage and E&G Services, a team of volunteers worked free of charge to relandscape the garden to accommodate his wheelchair.
Donna said: ‘For James to be able to go out into the garden whenever he likes, to join his dad doing the gardening, to throw a ball for their dog Bella or to socialise with friends, it is life changing for them.’
Donna continued: ‘We understand there are five cases of DMD on the island and we really want to help in any way we can, whether it’s socially or medically.
‘We’re here to do anything that makes life easier for them and their families.’
For more information or to make a donation, search for the ‘Finley’s Tracks Charity Page’ on Facebook.