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Daniel's Dream gets a huge boost
DANIEL'S Dream has taken a huge step towards reality, thanks to Northumbria Police.
A 1,000 donation from the force's benevolent fund was announced at an emotionally-charged charity night in aid of disabled teenager Daniel George.
And trustees gave Gazette readers an even greater incentive to support the appeal, by offering to match our 5,000 target when it is reached.
Daniel, 15, from Mons Avenue, Hebburn, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy and relies on a wheelchair, as well as an electric bed, hoist and a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
He and his family haven't been on a holiday for four years, due to a lack of disabled facilities abroad, so we're backing the fundraising efforts of friends and family to send them on the trip of a lifetime.
It is hoped the charity night, at Elmfield Social Club, in Hebburn, will have raised at least 1,200, and a sponsored bungee jump by Michael Lee Clark raised more than 500.
Dozens of Gazette readers have sent in cheques ranging from 5 to 100, and businesses have also got on board.
Detective Inspector John Watts, secretary of the Northumbria Police Benevolent Fund and a colleague of Daniel's step-father Ian Lavery at Etal Lane police station, in Newcastle, said: "We were really touched by Daniel's story and all the fundraising going on in the Hebburn community, and we wanted to help."
His promise to match the 5,000 target – to make up the 10,000 the family have been quoted for a trip to Florida – left them speechless.
Daniel's mum, Mary, 43, said: "It is going to happen now. This has made it more real."
Family friend Jackie Ryan, who organised the charity night with her husband Paul, said: "It is absolutely brilliant. We needed someone to give us a big boost."
* To make a donation, send a cheque, made payable to Shields Gazette Charity Account, to: Daniel's Dream, c/o Angela Reed, The Shields Gazette, Chapter Row, South Shields, NE33 1BL.
* For more information about the appeal, log on to the website, www.thedanielgeorgefund.com.
* Mr Ryan did an Elvis tribute act on the night, and is willing to perform for free in aid of other charities. He can be contacted on 421 6563.
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Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
