Can you help Appleton mum raise cash for poorly tot? (From Warrington Guardian)
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Appleton mum enlists help of Ricky Gervais to support Joseph Bowen fund
8:00am Monday 22nd October 2012 in News
Joseph with his brother Isaac, aged seven
A BIG-HEARTED Appleton woman has enlisted the help of comedian Rickey Gervais, Coronation Street actors and a huge number of shops and restaurants in the town to raise money for a child she has not yet met.
Poorly tot Joseph Bowen, who will celebrate his second birthday at the end of this month, is one of just 25 children diagnosed each year with Infant Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, an extremely rare form of cancer.
Family friend Emma Slattery, of Ashford Drive, decided she wanted to help the Gosport youngster’s CLIC Sargent charity fund after following his treatment in Joseph Bowen’s Journey blog including months of intensive chemotherapy and monthly bone marrow biopsies.
Mum Emma, who has a four-year-old son called Oliver, said: “He’s such a beautiful baby boy and if there’s something out there that can cure him we need to make sure the money is there.
“If anything had happened to my son like that I would want someone to do something to help me.
“Everyone in Warrington has been amazing and so many shops, restaurants and bars have been so generous it’s unbelievable.”
The 26-year-old has signed up Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell for the fundraiser and hopes Take That’s Jason Orange will follow after comedian Ricky Gervais recorded a message urging people to help.
Joseph’s mum Celine said: “Joseph has got the most amazing smile and has won so many hearts over the last couple of years.
“Emma wanted to help but she’s gone beyond the average person and we have been overwhelmed the amount of work and energy she has put into it.
“The Warrington fundraiser is a huge achievement and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved.”
Tickets for the Dime and Dine charity dinner at the Park Royal Hotel, Stretton, on October 25 are £30 and include a three-course meal and live entertainment including a fashion show, raffle and auction.
- For tickets call 07803 420751.
