Six-year-old boy with rare brain disease and relies on wheelchair aims to walk 100 metres around garden after inspired by Captain Tom Moore
A six-year-old schoolboy who relies on a wheelchair is aiming to walk 100 metres around his garden after being inspired by fundraising war veteran Captain Tom Moore.
Oliver (Ollie) Chappell, who was diagnosed with an incredibly rare brain disease in 2017, is hoping to raise money for two charities close to his family’s hearts.
He has already completed 40 metres with the help of his 12-year-old brother, Connor, who is also his young carer, and has already smashed through his original £1,000 target.
Ollie was a healthy little boy when he was born and was described as a “typical three-year-old enjoying pre-school” when he went on holiday with his family in the summer of 2017.
Ollie’s dad, Matt, 32, said: “It was the summer holidays and we had planned several days out with the boys.
“Our first outing was to Twinlakes in Melton. Oliver was enjoying himself but we noticed that he seemed to be slightly limping. The next day we went to Sherwood Forest. Again, Ollie was really struggling to walk so I had to carry him for much of the day.
“He seemed very agitated and emotional so we decided to take him straight to the GP, where he was checked over and we were referred to a local paediatrician.
“We went home and my wife Emma took the boys to Fun Farm in Grantham, which was when things really took a drastic turn.
“Ollie was playing and completely lost the ability to use his right side of his body.”
Ollie was rushed to the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, where he was sent for a CT scan.
The results revealed he had a rare brain disease that can cause symptoms such as seizures, slurred speech and balance problems, haemorrhaging, and strokes.
He had two major surgeries and was placed in an induced coma for five days following his second major surgery in January 2019.
Matt said: “The moment he woke up is a moment we will never forget.”
He is now mainly bound to his wheelchair and Xpander [mobility] chair and is re-learning to walk with help of physio
He has cerebral palsy, hemiplegia and dysarthria.
Despite everything, the little boy, who lives in Long Bennington and goes to the village primary school, is aiming to raise £1,000 for Cavernoma UK and NHS Charities Together by walking 100 metres, with the aid of his brother.
Matt said: “We have been wanting to do some fundraising as a family for some time now and have been amazed at what Captain Tom Moore had achieved and wanted to do the same.”
The brothers embarked on their challenge last month.
Matt said: “They are doing it in their own time. We wanted it to be fun as well as a form of exercise.
“However, we shouldn’t underestimate Ollie as we were amazed when he completed 40 metres — eight lengths of the garden — in the first session alone.
“We thought he would never walk again and now look at him.”
It has not been without its challenges but Connor has been with his little brother every step of the way.
The pair have already raised more than £1,000, but the family hopes to raise even more for the charities.
To follow their progress and make a donation, go to www.gofundme.com/f/ollies-walking-challenge
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