Lotto jackpot winners buy new prosthetic leg for brave Kieran (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Heighington lad receives new prosthetic leg from Ayrshire lotto winners
8:30am Tuesday 31st July 2012 in News
By Andy Walker, Chief Reporter (Darlington)
Great news: Kieran Maxwell
A TEENAGER who lost a leg to cancer “screamed with delight” after Britain’s biggest ever lottery jackpot winners offered to buy him a new prosthetic limb.
Kieran Maxwell, pictured right taking part in the Olympic flame relay, from Heighington , near Darlington, was diagnosed with the rare and agressive cancer Ewings Sarcoma, which affects fewer than 30 children a year, in October 2010.
Despite undergoing gruelling rounds of chemotheraphy, the 13-year-old, had to have his left leg amputated below the knee in March last year. His parents, Nicola and Alistair, and seven-year-old sister Alyssa have held a string of fundraising events to buy Kieran a life-changing new leg, as his current prosthetic weighs more than a stone and slows him down.
A five-figure donation from lottery winners Chris and Colin Weir, from Ayrshire, in Scotland, has allowed the family to order Kieran’s new leg immediately.
Mr and Mrs Weir have made several charitable donations since scooping £161m on the Euromillions in July last year.
The unexpected donation came after the grandmother of Kieran’s school friend, who lives in the same village as the Weirs, heard about Kieran’s situation and wrote to the wealthy couple to ask if they could help.
Mrs Maxwell said: “Kieran is our hero and we have been touched by all the support and kindness we’ve received since he was diagnosed with cancer.
“We thought it was going to take a long time to raise the money for a new prosthetic leg, but this donation from Chris and Colin means Kieran can get his new leg within six weeks. We can’t explain how much this means to us and Kieran.
“He screamed when he heard the news because it means that not only will he be able to walk again like all his friends, he will be able to run and climb too.
“We can’t thank the Weirs enough, because this will really change his life.”
The family intend to continue fundraising as Kieran, who carried the Olympic torch through Bishop Auckland last month, will need new legs as he grows.
It is hoped he will have his new leg by the end of August.
Kieran is currently enjoying a camping trip with the Scouts in the Yorkshire Dales with a group of friends including Ewan Barr.
It was Ewan’s grandmother, Lilian, who wrote the letter to the Weirs.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, Mrs Barr said: “I have never met Kieran, but have heard about him many times through Ewan and was thinking whether there was anything I could do to help. I do not know Chris and Colin, but they live nearby and they have done a lot locally, so I thought it was worth a try.
“I posted the letter on a Monday and by Thursday, I had had a call from their assistant, saying they wanted to help.”
Mrs Weir said: “When we heard about Kieran and his family’s fantastic efforts to raise money for a new prosthetic leg, we had to help.
“It is a privilege to support him and, with this new leg, we hope he will continue to be determined to remain active and live life to the full.”
Mr and Mrs Maxwell are helping to organise a barbecue for the Toma Fund, which supports children with cancer.
The event will be held at Bannatyne’s Hotel, in Darlington, on Friday, August 17, from 6.30pm. Tickets cost £15.95 for adults and £6.95 for children under 16. To book, visit tomafund
Comments(16)
George BA
says...
9:23am Tue 31 Jul 12
RichFlint
says...
10:00am Tue 31 Jul 12
zapper8
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3:51pm Tue 31 Jul 12
GeordieB
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4:56pm Tue 31 Jul 12
dave simon
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5:23pm Tue 31 Jul 12
J.Tull
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2:07pm Wed 1 Aug 12
dave simon wrote:The point is that this couple could have chosen to ignore this request but instead DID donate a sum of money which will make a huge difference to this brave teenager.
Sorry, but to these Lottery winners, that was a tiny drop in the ocean (probs less than a weeks interest), there are many thousands of people who give away a much greater percentage of their wealth everyday and get no plaudits in the Media. I am happy for the young lad though.
I send Kieran my best wishes for the future.
A.Smith 71
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1:11pm Thu 2 Aug 12
dave simon wrote:Dave, if you actually take note of the media surrounding this couple on the 1st anniversary of the winning they have said that the are planning their own charitable trust, which will support individuals, groups and charities across Scotland who are struggling to gain funds from the more traditional or mainstream grant makers!
Sorry, but to these Lottery winners, that was a tiny drop in the ocean (probs less than a weeks interest), there are many thousands of people who give away a much greater percentage of their wealth everyday and get no plaudits in the Media. I am happy for the young lad though.
I quote:
"The couple have helped raise funds for local 15-year-old tennis star Ross Wilson to attend a tennis academy in Barcelona and 15-year-old race driver Gregor Ramsay to attend the European and Italian F3 European Abarth.
They have also donated money to help refurbish sports facilities for the National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde and the Largs Thistle Community Club, and helped secure the future of the Waverley, the world's last ocean-going paddle steamer. Last year, they donated £1 million to the SNP's independence campaign.
Well done Colin and Chris, the country can do with more like you...
mrvunderbar
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4:47pm Thu 2 Aug 12
dave simon
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7:30pm Thu 2 Aug 12
A.Smith 71 wrote:I have more respect for people who give their time to help others, this couple were extremely lucky and because they donate a minuscule part of their fortune they are applauded as some kind of Saints?? There a volunteers up and down this country who give their valuable time and effort to help others, what this couple did is nothing in comparison.
dave simon wrote:Dave, if you actually take note of the media surrounding this couple on the 1st anniversary of the winning they have said that the are planning their own charitable trust, which will support individuals, groups and charities across Scotland who are struggling to gain funds from the more traditional or mainstream grant makers!
Sorry, but to these Lottery winners, that was a tiny drop in the ocean (probs less than a weeks interest), there are many thousands of people who give away a much greater percentage of their wealth everyday and get no plaudits in the Media. I am happy for the young lad though.
I quote:
"The couple have helped raise funds for local 15-year-old tennis star Ross Wilson to attend a tennis academy in Barcelona and 15-year-old race driver Gregor Ramsay to attend the European and Italian F3 European Abarth.
They have also donated money to help refurbish sports facilities for the National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde and the Largs Thistle Community Club, and helped secure the future of the Waverley, the world's last ocean-going paddle steamer. Last year, they donated £1 million to the SNP's independence campaign.
Well done Colin and Chris, the country can do with more like you...
A.Smith 71
says...
8:41am Fri 3 Aug 12
dave simon wrote:I CAN SMELL JEALOUSY HERE!!
A.Smith 71 wrote:I have more respect for people who give their time to help others, this couple were extremely lucky and because they donate a minuscule part of their fortune they are applauded as some kind of Saints?? There a volunteers up and down this country who give their valuable time and effort to help others, what this couple did is nothing in comparison.
dave simon wrote:Dave, if you actually take note of the media surrounding this couple on the 1st anniversary of the winning they have said that the are planning their own charitable trust, which will support individuals, groups and charities across Scotland who are struggling to gain funds from the more traditional or mainstream grant makers!
Sorry, but to these Lottery winners, that was a tiny drop in the ocean (probs less than a weeks interest), there are many thousands of people who give away a much greater percentage of their wealth everyday and get no plaudits in the Media. I am happy for the young lad though.
I quote:
"The couple have helped raise funds for local 15-year-old tennis star Ross Wilson to attend a tennis academy in Barcelona and 15-year-old race driver Gregor Ramsay to attend the European and Italian F3 European Abarth.
They have also donated money to help refurbish sports facilities for the National Sports Training Centre Inverclyde and the Largs Thistle Community Club, and helped secure the future of the Waverley, the world's last ocean-going paddle steamer. Last year, they donated £1 million to the SNP's independence campaign.
Well done Colin and Chris, the country can do with more like you...
So your the guy that goes to work everyday and once you draw your wage make sure you have enough to pay the bills and put food in the cupboards before donating it all to the charities you work with at every given opportunity!?
I really hope you or your family never fall ill to the point friends and family set up fundraising events to raise money, can you imagine the Northern Echo headline 'Local lotto winner laughs at miniscule amount'. Today a lotto winner was quoted as saying "We looked donating to the Dave Simon fund, but it is such a miniscule amount we decided to pass on it as we only donate large amounts to charities"
I really hope you do win the big Lotto as I can just see the national headlines now 'Lotto Winner Gives it All Away'. Dave Simon was quoted as saying "I gave it away as it because I was just a lucky guy and waking every day with me health means more to me than that money so let the charities divide it equally and use it wisely"
I DON'T THINK SO, DO YOU???
rett1551
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10:59pm Fri 3 Aug 12
dave simon
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11:27am Sat 4 Aug 12
Becca.
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5:28pm Sat 4 Aug 12
dave simon
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5:31pm Sat 4 Aug 12
A.Smith 71
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9:16am Mon 6 Aug 12
dave simon wrote:What a pathetic person you are Dave Simon, nothing constructive to say about an act of charity? Well say nothing at all and keep your negative thoughts to yourself.
Why is there always one person who looks for the negative side in everything? ? Everything?? hhhmm
No wonder people don't donate, your probably the type that would say "is that all you giving?" no matter what the amount is!!!
laughingboy51 says...
9:05am Tue 31 Jul 12