Mystery donor gives £500 for Ben and Toby
Two special little boys have started 2013 with a huge smile after a mystery benefactor gave them £500 to buy special equipment to improve their lives.
Brothers Ben and Toby Smith, aged eight and five, both have an undiagnosed condition which has resulted in global development delay – meaning both are still in nappies and unable to talk, walk or feed themselves.
Their mum Julia had applied to the Smile Campaign, which the Spalding Guardian is running in association with Spalding and District Round Table, for £500 to buy them sensory equipment to soothe and calm them.
But after reading their story in the Spalding Guardian before Christmas, one reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, felt compelled to raid their own savings to donate the full amount to the Smith family to give them a happy new year.
After we broke the news to Julia, she said: “We are totally overwhelmed and quite emotional to be quite honest. And very grateful.
“Sensory equipment is really expensive but things like projection lights and bubble tubes really make a huge difference to them
“Ben is often up all night and these things really help to soothe him and calm him down.
“This just goes to show how generous people can be. Not everyone is nasty and out for themselves – there are still some genuinely nice people around.”
Although the donor did not wish for the family to know their identity, Julia hopes to write a letter detailing how the family, of Pennygate, Spalding, have spent the money and said: “They are welcome to pop round any time they like to see what we have bought.
“We have already ordered some new lights and a chair for the playroom.”
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Weather for Spalding
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 37 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
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