Rugby mum raises funds for premature sons

Eight of Beckie Haddock’s nine children were born prematurely, but it was her two sons, Bobby 11, and Ryan, six, who were most affected after being born two months early.

Both brothers have bilateral periventricular leukomelacia and cerebral palsy, which means they require constant care and are in need of expensive medical equipment and treatment up to the cost of £20,000.

Now Ryan is much closer to undergoing surgery – which will ease his body’s movement – after the fundraising of Beckie and family and friends, who have collectively raised £13,000 of the total target.

Fundraising activities have seen Beckie’s husband Bobby take on sponsored runs, while other family and friends have entered sponsored swims, mud runs, half-marathons and even a ‘Zombiethon’ – where participants donned fancy dress and zombie make-up for a walk around Rugby.

Beckie and her mother-in-law have also organised various events - and even Bobby and Ryan have joined in on the mammoth fundraising effort by completing, along with their brothers and sister, a mini military fitness mud run for children.

Beckie, who has received support from neonatal charity the Grace Research Fund, said: “For Bobby and Ryan, the funds will provide them with treatment and equipment which will be life-changing and dramatically improve their quality of life.

“Both boys melt the hearts of everyone they meet and they just need a chance to be able to develop to their full potential and join in with family activities once again.

“We are really proud to have raised so much already and are overwhelmed by the support we have received by family and friends – it has really inspired us and spurred us on to keep marching towards the target.”

To donate towards the costs of Bobby and Ryan’s surgery, visit www.justgiving.com/bobbyandryan