A GAINFORD family are nearing their £50,000 fundraising target after they vowed to help find a cure for their son who was diagnosed with a rare and fatal muscle-wasting disease.
Six-year-old Ryan Chidzey was just three when his parents, Claire and Cieran, received the devastating news that he had Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Our Fight for Ryan was launched in 2017 to raise £50,000 for Muscular Dystrophy UK’s Duchenne Research Breakthrough Fund in the hope of a cure being discovered in Ryan’s lifetime. Now, almost three years on, £44,472 is in the pot with just over £5,000 left to find. Ms Chidzey said: “You don’t expect people to raise nearly £50,000 for you. It is amazing. This would not have happened without everyone’s support.”
Friends, family and upporterss have rallied round. Their efforts have included skydives, music events, fun days and fun runs. Ms Chidzey said: “Once we have reached the target we will have done what we have set out to do and then we will concentrate on our little boy and making memories.”
The superhero-mad Gainford Primary School pupil had his wishes granted when he was made a superhero for the day in London in August. Thanks to the Make A Wish charity, Ryan became Spiderman and was escorted in a Hummer limousine round the city’s sights for two days.
Ms Chidzey said: “I would say that was the best memory that we’ve had so far since Ryan’s diagnosis.”
Ms Chidzey and her sister, Gillian Morrison, are planning the next two fundraising events to raise the remaining money. An Elvis tribute night is being held at Northgate Club in Darlington. Dubbed the UK’s leading Elvis tribute artist, Kidd Galahad will take to the stage on Friday, November 29. Tickets cost £5 and include a buffet. A Christmas disco and Santa’s grotto have also been organised. Father Christmas will visit Gainford Village Hall on Friday, December 20, from 4.30pm till 8pm. Meanwhile, Ryan continues to live each day to the full. He takes steroids daily and wears leg splints. He also has the use of a wheelchair and a stairlift. Ms Chidzey said: “He is a positive person. If he was not as happy as he is now I don’t think I would be able to carry on each day. He is perfect to me.”
The family are planning to conclude everyone’s fundraising efforts with a superhero ball next year. Ms Chidzey added: “We take each day as it comes. It is a progressive condition so we don’t know when it is going to change for Ryan. You just have to hope for the best. If you don’t have hope you have nothing. I believe that one day there will be a cure for Ryan’s condition. I just hope that it is in Ryan’s lifetime.”
