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Life-changing op pledge by school
A SCHOOL has pledged its backing to a campaign to get a 10-year-old pupil to the USA for life-changing surgery.
Youngsters and staff at Hartlepool's West Park Primary School have joined the drive to raise 40,000 to get pupil Mitchell Spencer across the Atlantic for the operation.
Mitchell has cerebral palsy which causes his brain to send scrambled messages to his muscles telling them to contract and leaving him always walking on his tiptoes.
He has to wear splints, have physiotherapy four times a day and finds it difficult to keep up with his friends.
But after hearing about the intricate spinal surgery procedure carried out by medics in the United States, his family launched the Get Mitchell to America Campaign.
The corrective surgery, which boasts a 100 per cent success rate, would give Mitchell his mobility back.
The family have created a giving tree at the school, in Coniscliffe Road, where people can buy different coloured leaves for a donation of 2, 5 or 10 and stick them on.
Larger donations are represented by big red apples.
Headteacher Mark Parry said: "It's absolutely something that we would like to support.
"Mitchell has been with us now for a long time and we know that he struggles with his mobility and if there's an opportunity for him to straighten things out, so to speak, it's a wonderful opportunity.
"I'm sure that our parents and children will give generously and fundraise any way we can to make it a reality."
Mum Deborah Spencer, 45, and dad Phil, 43, who live in the Park area of Hartlepool, have been offered the chance to have the procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy on October 26 by medics at St Louis Children's Hospital, in Missouri.
Deborah, who is also mum to Josh Palmer, 20, and 17-year-old Sophie Palmer, said: "We really need to get the money to them by September so it's an ambitious target.
"People have been really generous so far, but we really need more help as soon as possible."
Friends of West Park Primary book club, which sells books and uniforms to children, has already made a donation of 1,000 while the town's Richardsons Coaches has given 50.
Family donations of 1,500 have also helped the cause.
To get information on fundraising events and how to donate, search for Get Mitchell to America! on Facebook groups, email das24999@live.co.uk or phone 07878 325710.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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