Hearts in Essex have been melted after firefighters there raised more than £20,000 for a colleague’s disabled son.
Four-year-old Stanley Newman suffers from congenital muscular dystrophy, a progressive, life-limiting muscle-wasting disease which gives him a 50% chance of making it to his 16th birthday and makes moving about very difficult.
Now hoists, ramps, wider doorways and a new bedroom and bathroom have been added to the family’s home, improving Stanley’s quality of life immeasurably.
Rob Newman, who has served in Essex County Fire and Rescue for 20 years, approached the council for a disabled facilities grant but it only covered a fraction of the changes and items that were needed – young Stanley could have either a buggy or a wheelchair. Rob then applied for the BBC makeover show DIY SOS but was turned down.
Thankfully his colleagues rallied around him to raise funds for the improvements and equipment – Stanley now has the buggy and the wheelchair he needs.
Rob said: “The awareness and support from my colleagues for Stanley has been absolutely brilliant. My team at Clacton fire station have found all kinds of ways to support us which has been invaluable to my family and I.”
The Newman family have set up a fund with the Muscular Dystrophy charity in order to find a treatment for Stanley’s condition. You can keep up to date with Stanley's progress by following him on Facebook.
