News
Warwick father and son taking on night time marathon for seven-year-old boy
19 Jun 2023
A Warwick man and his son are taking on a night-time ‘beat the sunrise’ marathon to raise funds for an operation to help seven-year-old Lincoln walk.
Lincoln Hookey, 7, from Warwick, has cerebral palsy which causes muscle stiffness, spasms and pain which makes it difficult to walk more than around 20 metres.
His family are aiming to raise £22,000 for selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery followed by specialised physiotherapy which should enable to Lincoln to have much movement and much less pain.
His dad Simon, 46, a service delivery manager, brother Willam, 17, and others are taking on a night-time 26 mile ‘Warrior Walk for William’ on July 21 organised and supported by Ed Hargreaves of Warrior Strong Fitness.
‘This SDR surgery, for which we have a tentative date in the autumn, would make a huge amount of different to Lincoln, and indeed the family as a whole.’
‘There are simple things he just can’t do, such as paddling in muddy puddles or in a stream, he’d fall and be soaked. Running off to the play area to play with friends of his own age took years longer than it should, who wants their Mum still helping on the climbing frame at seven?’
‘Lincoln loves the water and has learnt to swim in his own adapted way, but the stiffness in his legs prevents him kicking his legs, only managing little flicks.’
‘He loves to try and kick a ball, tenaciously working at it but has to content himself with a little kick about with his dad rather than with his mates due to his lack of range and stiff and painful legs. And looking ahead to him going to senior school, something simple like getting the bus just won’t be an option unless he has this operation.’
‘This operation won’t just change his physical outlook but his mental and social wellbeing too. The world is much more of an inclusive place than it used to be, but he still doesn’t get to do everything he so desperately wants to or should be able to should he choose.’
Lincoln's Mum
The family has already raised almost £11,000 thanks to donations and fundraising events by friends, family and community including a Highland ultra-marathon. Simon, Sarah and Sarah’s best friend Verity Slatem are running the Warwick to Kenilworth ‘Two Castles’ 10K, and other forthcoming events include ‘dress down’ days at William’s former nursery King’s Meadow, ongoing donations from Church Farm Brewery thank to owner Jo Reynolds, a sponsored bounce by Warwick Beavers on July 7 and a ‘bucket shake’ at Morrison’s Leamington Spa.
Sarah added: ‘We have been bowled over by quite how much our friends and community have got behind up to help raise money for this operation which could be life changing for Lincoln. We hope we are on track to raise what we need by the autumn, and are extremely grateful for all the help so far.
To donate to Lincoln’s fund or sponsor Simon and William on their Warrior Walk, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/WarriorwalkforLincoln or https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/give-7-year-old-lincoln-back-firsts/
For more info about Warrior Strong Fitness, visit www.warriorstrongfitness.co.uk
For more info about Church Farm Brewery, visit https://www.churchfarmbrewery.co.uk/
