Borough mum calls on public for help to send terminally-ill son to Disney Land - The Solihull Observer

Borough mum calls on public for help to send terminally-ill son to Disney Land

Solihull Editorial 19th Oct, 2016 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

A DETERMINED mum from Sheldon is hoping to take her terminally-ill teenager to Disney Land in Florida to mark his milestone 16th birthday – but is calling on the public for help to fund the trip.

Jake Foster, 15, was diagnosed with Leigh’s Disease – a neurological disease which affects the central nervous system – at the age of one and was told he may not live to see through his adult years.

Devastated by the news, Jake’s parents prepared themselves for the worse having lost their son, Robert, to the life-limiting disease in 2000.

Despite making it to his teenage years, Jake’s latest MRI brain scan revealed his condition is slowly deteriorating and is unlikely to improve.




Desperate to make the most of her time with the brave youngster, mum Debbie decided to organise a once in a lifetime trip to Disney Land to celebrate his 16th birthday in April next year.

Speaking to the paper, Debbie said: “When Jake was born all I wanted to do was wrap him up in cotton wool because I only expected him to live for a few years.


“Now Jake is turning 16, we wanted to book a trip to celebrate because when you know your child isn’t going to live forever, you feel like you have to do everything you can.”

After a charity promised to help towards the £4,500 costs, Debbie set about planning the trip to the United States.

But things took an unexpected turn when the charity pulled out last minute – leaving Debbie and husband Rob to foot the bill.

She added: “We were absolutely devastated when we found out the charity couldn’t help us anymore – it felt like the rug had been pulled out from underneath us.

“We had planned everything, including Jake’s birthday meal with Mickey Mouse, and didn’t have the heart to tell him we couldn’t go.

“Desperate to take him on the unforgettable trip, we sold our family possessions on e-bay and set up a number of auctions to raise the funds.”

Despite selling their possessions, the heartbroken couple were still unable to cover the costs of the trip – so they turned to social media for help.

So far, the campaign has managed to raise £1,315 – a fraction of the overall £4,500 cost needed to cover the trip and insurance.

Visit www.gofundme.com/2stnhss to help Jake and his family get to Disneyland Florida for the trip of a lifetime.

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