 |
| Jack Deaman with Lilac Jackson who needs £80,000 to help her walk unaided. |
Jack Deaman has urged Hereford fans to support a fundraising campaign to help a three year old girl walk properly for the first time.
With the operation not available on the NHS, £80,000 is being raised to fund the procedure and the equipment needed for the rehabilitation.
Lilac Jackson was born critically ill at 34 weeks and was on life support after contracting sepsis.
She pulled through, but before her first birthday was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy - a condition which tightens leg muscles.
Lilac will be a mascot at Edgar Street tomorrow for the top of the table clash with King's Lynn.
The Hereford defender said: "I first met Lilac at the same nursery my youngest daughter, Theadorah attends."
"The first thing I noticed about Lilac was her infectious smile and happiness for life, followed by her k-walker.
"After reading about Lilac’s story in the Gloucestershire Echo and finding out about the families fundraising attempt, I felt compelled to help in anyway that I could. Four months later, nearly at our target, having made very close family friends and with a love for this special little girl, I’m now asking our fantastic fan base to help out."
As well as Deaman helping to arrange a mascot experience for Lilac, there will be a bucket collection at the following home game.
"Lilac will be mascot in our upcoming game against Kings Lynn on 10th March, where you will see her on the pitch with myself and all of the players.
"The following home again we will be doing a bucket collection in which I ask Hereford fans to dig deep and give generously to help Lilac reach her full potential.
"Our goal this season has been to gain promotion which we are in a great position to achieve. Lilac’s families goal is to have the operation which will allow her to walk independently and ultimately change her life.
"Hereford as a football club have been fantastic in supporting Lilac as soon as I approached them with her story. Along side having Lilac as mascot the club and I will auctioning my match worn FA Cup first round shirt vs Telford with all proceeds being donated to Lilac’s just giving page which you can find in my bio (link).
"We are all looking forward to having Lilac with us on Saturday where you will see first hand how heart warming she is and have the opportunity to welcome her as our latest fan.
"Please give as much as you can to help Lilac reach her full potential in life. Lilac, her family and I are enormously grateful, see you on Saturday."