Walking for Thomas

Family and friends of Lambourn boy Thomas McConaghy are to walk 24 miles to raise funds to help him walk unaided

A GROUP of family and friends of little Thomas McConaghy are preparing to walk 24 miles to raise funds to help him walk unaided.

Thomas, aged four, lives in Mill Lane, Lambourn, with his parents Paul and Helen McConaghy, who describe him as a “typical happy, boisterous, determined and sometimes mischievous little boy.”

However, he suffers from cerebral palsy which, in his case, means that his joints are particularly elastic, leading to him suffer poor balance and muscle control.

His parents gradually became aware something was amiss when he was still not sitting unsupported by nine months old.

He finally started bearing weight on his legs at around 14 months and walking with support at 18 months. Although he has made great progress in his general development he is still unable to walk or stand unaided.

Mrs McConaghy said: “We - a group of family, friends and supporters, are preparing for 24 mile sponsored walk from Lambourn to the Footsteps centre at South Warborough on June 4.

“Thomas has been attending the centre since November last year and we are busy raising money to send him again later this year. We have got together a group of nearly 30 people all prepared to walk all or part of the route to support us and Thomas.”

She added: “Despite a lot of fantastic support and advice from doctors, physiotherapist, occupational therapists and so on, it's clear that, despite the dedication of NHS staff, much more intensive and specialised therapy is required for Thomas and, indeed, many young people with similar disabilities.

“Unfortunately there is no NHS funding for this treatment and it is left to individual families and charitable donations to find the finance required for suitable treatment.”

Footsteps is dedicated to providing an expert and specialised programme of therapy for young people like Thomas, who suffer from neuro-motor disorders.

Footseps receives no state funding and relies upon charitable donations and contributions from the parents and supporters of the young people receiving treatment.

Thomas completed his second, three-week week session in February and Mrs McConaghy said: “Thomas spent two hours a day at the centre, working very hard during his time there and he just loved it.

“So far each session has resulted in a noticeable improvement and we are now seeing a stronger, more confident little boy, both in his physical abilities and in his speech and language. He is trying to stand on his own and beginning to put two words together”.

His parents are confident that, with further treatment and in the knowledge that Thomas is so determined to walk unaided, he will eventually succeed in achieving his objective.

Mr McConaghy said: “We're eternally grateful to all who have supported Thomas to date and to those who are prepared to raise money for further sessions of therapy by walking and donating on his behalf.

“He is on a journey to independence and we believe that with that continued support and by taking the journey one step at a time, one day he will be able to undertake the Lambourn to South Warborough walk himself”.

For more information about Thomas, the sponsored walk and Footsteps, click on the link below.