Ritchie’s appeal reaches new heights
Ritchie with, from left - Tracy Sneddon from Dyno-Rod, sister Lily , dad David, Mum Moira.
THE fund set up to help four-year-old local boy Ritchie Horrocks has been given another significant boost - thanks to a chance meeting with a plumber!
When Peter Doyle from the firm Dyno-Rod visited Ritchie’s home in Craigrothie this summer, he was so taken with the little boy that he wanted to do something to help raise the funds needed to help him lead a more independent life.
Ritchie suffers from achondroplasia, a form of short-limbed dwarfism, and needs a number of adaptations to the house.
With the help of the local community, enough money had already been raised to begin work on wet room facilities - and Peter’s visit was to carry out a drain survey.
But he was so moved by Ritchie’s plight that he contacted his boss on the spot - and promptly announced that not only would the survey be free of charge, but a Ben Nevis climb already planned by him and the rest of the Dyno-Rod staff would now be turned into a fund-raising event.
The team carried out their gruelling challenge in September, and on Friday handed over the fruits of their efforts - a cheque for a whopping £1575.
OVERWHELMED
Ritchie’s mum Moira said she was ‘overwhelmed’ by the gesture, especially since manager Tracey Snedden carried a specially-made banner all the way up the 4400-foot mountain.
“It was an amazing idea,” said Moira.
“All the Dyno-Rod team signed the banner and gave it to Ritchie to keep.
“I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done for him.”
The donation is the latest contribution to the fund-raising campaign, which has really taken off since it was launched by Moira last year.
At the end of September, a group of Cupar mums raised £2500 by walking to St Andrews in 80s gear, and several local businesses have offered their services free of charge.
And thanks to the charity Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, Ritchie, who attends Westfield Nursery in Cupar, now sleeps in a ‘big boy’s bed’, which has special features that enable him to roll in and out on his own.
Next on the fund-raising agenda is a Family Fun Time coffee morning in Cupar Old Parish Centre on November 10, and some of the proceeds of a Monster Ball being held by the Darren Lackie Memorial Fund on November 3 will also go towards helping Ritchie.
n Meanwhile, anyone who would like to donate to the Ritchie Horrocks Fund can do so via Paypal at Ritchiehorrocksfund@hotmail.co.uk - or to keep up with the news, visit the Ritchie Horrocks Fund page on Facebook.
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Wednesday 19 June 2013
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