Amazing response to fundraising appeal for little Jamie

A FUNDRAISING drive to help a local child receive vital hospital treatment in America has already raised over £14,000.

The parents of little Jamie McGoldrick, from Clanabogan, say they have been “blown away” by the generosity of local people.

Jamie, aged just 18 months, has been diagnosed with progressive infantile scoliosis which affects young children and leads to a curve in the spine, causing further health complications and in some cases can be fatal. Jamie also has a tumour in his heart which he still receives treatment for.

After discovering the lengthy waiting list for scoliosis treatment in the UK, Jamie’s parents, Benny and Teresa, decided that they could not wait and opted to pay for care in America.

However, this involved the extremely costly process of travelling back and forth between Ireland and Philadelphia every eight weeks to have a cast fitted which will help straighten out Jamie’s spine – the first trip cost £5,000 alone.

So the family decided to create a Go Fund Me page to help pay for some of the costs of treatment.

Since the page opened, just over £14,000 has been raised to help with Jamie’s medical bills.

Jamie’s dad, Benny, is extremely grateful to everyone who has donated.

He told the UH, “The donations have been amazing and when I see amount raised it just blows my mind.

“Jamie’s treatment is essential and the hospital in Philadelphia has amazing facilities to treat scoliosis. His condition means we will need to keep returning to America every eight weeks or so.”

Benny added, “This treatment could last years and I have not worked out how much it will cost. Whenever I sit and try and do the maths in my head it scares me. So the money that is being raised is so important and will go along way in helping us pay for Jamie’s initial treatment. I Would just like to thank everyone that has donated so far.”

Benny said that although the experience of travelling to America has been “overwhelming”, Jamie has taken it all in his stride.

“He’s almost used to hospitals at this stage, he’s adjusted to it fairly well now. “

To donate and help pay for Jamie’s treatment you can got to the website; //www.gofundme.com/f/jamies-scoliosis-journey.