Most parents of two-year-olds know that keeping up with their children can be a challenge – but Aaron Jones’s family can’t wait for their son to be able to get around independently for the first time.

Aaron, from Connahs Quay in Flintshire, has a condition called Hypoxia Ischaemia Encephalopathy which is caused by not enough oxygen getting to the brain. As a result of this, he experiences seizures and is developing Cerebral Palsy.

Mum Karen Jones said: “Aaron is not able to move around by himself but he loves to be on the move – either being carried or in his pushchair. For him to be able to get around independently would be amazing – and a specialist walker could help him do this. He has had the opportunity to trial a walker at nursery and he really liked it. We think that this equipment is just what he needs so he can get out with the other children and develop a bit of independence.”

She added: “It would be a big help at home, too, because it would mean that Aaron could use it out in our garden and enjoy the freedom of being outdoors.”

The specialist equipment would also provide appropriate postural support, keep him secure and help respiratory and digestive functions. However, it costs £2,125 so the Jones family turned to leading UK children’s disability charity Newlife Foundation for help. Newlife has funded 32 Equipment Grants for children in Flintshire.

Newlife CEO Sheila Brown, OBE, said: “As cutbacks continue to bite into local authority budgets we can expect to see applications for Newlife equipment services continue to rise. As a charity we are looking increasingly to ‘local heroes’ to help us help children in individual counties – and Newlife guarantees that 100 per cent of all monies donated or fundraised in Flintshire can be ring-fenced to specifically provide equipment for disabled and terminally ill children within the county boundary.”

If you would like to raise money to help fund a walker for Aaron, the Newlife Community Fundraising Team can be contacted on freephone 0800 988 4640. Any individual or organisation thinking of running a fundraising event is asked to contact the team, who can offer support and guidance.

Any monies collected surplus to requirements for Aaron would be used to provide specialist equipment for another disabled or terminally ill child in Flintshire.

Pictured: Aaron Jones 

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