Hundreds raised to buy specially-adapted chair for disabled boy

Seven-year-old Joshua Smith, who has diplegia cerebral palsy and attends judo classes in Battle, was given the chair just before Christmas.

The gift was the culmination of a charity jumble sale, which was held at the Guide Hut in North Trade Road, Battle in November, organised by Jo Lyons and her friend Paula Everest. More than 500 was raised.

A further 750 was donated by regulars at the Railway Tavern in King's Road, St Leonards following a sponsored slim, as well as donations from Scope and the A C Lacy Tate Trust.

Jo said: "We would like to thank all those who donated jumble at November's sale, the people who helped on the day and all those who did things behind the scenes beforehand.

"We would also like to thank the following for their very kind donations towards the raffle, such as Kent Express which donated an Xbox 360 Elite, Stamco for two bottles of wine and other local people who donated prizes.

"An enormous thanks also goes to the Railway Tavern.

"Josh's parents are staggered at the amount of money raised and are hugely grateful to all those who put their time and energy into making the jumble sale such a great success.

"They would also like to thank all those others who have contributed to the fund for Josh, including the Sound Waves Community Choir which donated money from a collection after its carol service in December."

She and Paula, along with numerous others, are now undertaking further fundraising to get spider therapy for Josh, an intensive physiotherapy programme for children and young adults with neurological disorders.

Spider therapy enables the physiotherapists to implement a full course of exercises to align the body property by using a series of elastic ropes.

Josh's parents have been told the treatment would benefit Josh considerably and may even assist with helping him to speak.

This type of intensive physiotherapy is not provided by the NHS and costs around 10,000.

Josh, who lives in Hastings, is a member of the Westerleigh Judokwai Club, which has lessons at Claverham School in Battle.

Jo said: "Josh is a very special boy who, despite having diplegia cerebral palsy, using a walking frame and having little communication, is full of character and is a true inspiration to others."

If anybody who would like to help Josh reach his target of 10,000 they can make donations to the "Josh Smith Wish List", c/o Jo Lyons, 20 Bunting Close, St Leonards, East Sussex TN38 8DG. They can also call Jo on 07888 657323.