Last Sunday saw a fantastic effort by Islanders young and old as a fundraising swimming event saw hundreds of pounds raised for a young autistic boy.
Katie and Andy Bond, of Cowes, organized the event at Gurnard Pines Holiday Village to raise money for special treatment for their five year old son Matthew. They are attempting to raise £10,000 so they can send him to a top therapy centre in America, where he will experience ‘Son Rise’, an intensive programme to help develop his interaction and communication skills.
During the swimathon, 75 fundraisers swam tirelessly as a part of the non-stop nine hour effort, with their continual relay totalling 55 miles, almost doubling the planned distance. A total of £550 was raised, with more expected to come in once sponsorship money has been collected. For Matthew and his parents, the funds are essential to ensure he receives the best possible treatment, and with the continued kind efforts of fellow Islanders, he will surely soon be heading across the Atlantic toward top class care.