London Greek Radio

Six-year-old UK Cypriot Andy Achilleos launched a justgiving fundraising page named Andy’s Wish to Walk and last month appeared on the BBC’s Children in Need television programme.

Andy has been accepted as a candidate for Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). The aim is to improve spasticity (muscle stiffness) in his legs caused by brain damage at birth. The spasticity can be very painful and leads to excessive stiffness in his legs and causes difficulties with walking.

Last year the television show visited the London Centre for Children of cerebral palsy which support children with a condition like Andy’s. He appeared on the show last year following up what he’s been doing since then.

The brave young soul was with his mum Afrothedi, who explained the situation for Andy and the fundraising aspects of Andy’s cause.

”Andy has been given the okay to have a life-changing operation at Great Ormond Street, unfortunately it’s not all completely funded by the NHS so we’ve been fundraising for Andy, really fantastic community support, and the school that Andy attends have recently fundraised over 19,000”, she said.

Afrothedi further explained to giving money to Children in Need is important as it funds a centre that Andy attends.

”Fundraising the sessions Andy goes to and the specialists and professionals to help teach him to do everyday things like walking, sitting”, Afrothedi stressed.

Check out the Justgiving Page if you would like to make your pledge or donation and Gift Aid, by visiting the website: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andyswishtowalk