Community support for poorly children

A man spent two days sleeping rough to raise money for two children from his village who have life-changing illnesses.

Father-of-three Mr Chris Spittlehouse, 33, of Bilsthorpe, took up the challenge to support family friends.

Sixteen-month-old Dawson Wilcox has been diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare form of liver cancer.

Mr Spittlehouse is also supporting Elise Bettison, 3, who needs open-heart surgery after two holes were identified between her heart chambers.

Mr Spittlehouse wants to raise £3,000 and is already half-way to his target after donations from work colleagues and friends.

“I want to raise enough money to split 50/50 between each family to help with medical and travelling expenses,” he said.

“Local people have really rallied behind the families and have been donating generous amounts.

“When I pitched up my shelter outside the local shops neighbours tried to brighten my stay with pot plants.”

'Such a worthy cause'

Jenny Pavier, the deputy head at Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy, where Elise is a pupil, said: “This is such a worthy cause for the two children and we hope that Chris is successful in raising his goal amount.

“We want to let the families know we are thinking about them and hope that the children get well.

“This is a caring and strong community. I know everyone will be wishing the children and their families well and we will all support them in any way we can.”

To support Mr Spittlehouse go to https://uk.gofundme.com/39n1ktc