Business Support Wanted for Children’s Charity Ball

By pHIL SKELTON

The parents of Matthew Hall are staging a charity auction to celebrate their son and thank the nurses who handed them a lifeline.

Melanie and Chris, from Bishop’s Cleeve, are hosting the Matthew Hall Ball at Hatherley Manor Hotel, Down Hatherley, on Saturday.

They have already sold out of tickets for the ball to raise money for charities the James Hopkins Trust and Make a Wish Foundation, which support children with disabilities.

But the pair are hoping for more support and donations from businesses.

Melanie decided to organise the ball following the diagnosis of her five-year-old son Matthew with a rare and devastating disease.

He was a healthy boy until the age of three but over the course of two years started to have seizures.

He began to lose skills and investigations began between Cheltenham General and Great Ormond Street hospitals.

His condition worsened and he can no longer see, walk or talk due to Late Infantile Batten’s Disease.

Melanie said: “No one expects this to happen to their child and it has been hard to come to terms with.

“But with the help of the James Hopkins Trust we have been given respite care and made the most amazing friends. They have proved a lifeline to us.

“We have nine hours of nurse care each week and this enables me to go and pick up my other son Tom from school. We can have fun time together – have a coffee or cinema.

“We adore both our sons and we take each day at a time.”

Melanie completed a charity parachute jump in May and her sister- in-law ran the London Marathon but they wanted to do more to raise money for the James Hopkins Trust and Make a Wish Foundation.

“We are delighted that 250 family and friends have bought tickets to celebrate a special little boy,” said Melanie.

“I hope local businesses will want to come forward to help poorly children like Matthew and in turn support two fantastic children’s charities.”

To support the family in raising funds, call 07875 340840 or email [email protected].

(c) 2008 Gloucestershire Echo, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.