Sam Bottomley, a six-year old boy from Mirfield who is hoping to undergo a life-changing operation to be able to walk independently, this week received a boost to his fund-raising efforts from Yorkshire broadcaster and journalist Christa Ackroyd.
When the former presenter of BBC Look North and ITV’s Calendar heard about his fundraising mission on Twitter she immediately offered her support to help him raise his target of £35,000.
Christa met with Sam at the Yummy Yorkshire dairy farm in Huddersfield, where his dad Steve works, and helped Louise and Jeremy Holmes, the founders of Yummy Yorkshire, make a batch of chocolate ice cream. The ice cream makers are donating 20p of every scoop of chocolate ice cream sold towards Sam’s fundraising activity until Sam’s operation later this year.
Sam was born with cerebral palsy, which makes the muscles in his legs so tight and stiff that he cannot stand or walk without adult support.
He has been given the chance of having a life-changing operation at Leeds General Infirmary called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), which will ultimately help him to stand and walk independently.
Speaking about her support of Sam, Christa Ackroyd said: “How lovely to be able to try and help lovely Sam achieve his goal and walk. And with the added bonus of sampling his favourite chocolate ice cream … Thanks to Yummy Yorkshire for their delicious gesture.”
Jeremy Holmes, added: “When Christa offered her support, we jumped at the chance to welcome her onto the farm and tell her more about Sam’s mission. We have already raised £160 ““ that’s 800 scoops! – from chocolate ice cream sales but Sam still has a long way to go in reaching his target amount so needs all the help he can get. We are very grateful to Christa for offering her support.
Karen Bottomley, Sam’s mum said: “It was wonderful to meet Christa and she was very keen to promote Sam’s cause. She was a natural with Sam, who enjoyed having chocolate ice-cream with her and showing her the cows.”
To support Sam’s Wish to Walk visit “www.justgiving/samswishtowalk”: www.justgiving/samswishtowalk or text SWTW70 and the donation value to 70070.