Noah’s steps to a new life (From York Press)

Noah’s steps to a new life

8:18am Tuesday 7th August 2012 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

A BOY who is unable to walk unaided has completed a milestone event to raise funds for a life-changing operation.

Six-year-old Noah Banks, from Eggborough, near Selby , was born eight weeks premature and later diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

His parents, Julie and Chris, were advised he may never be able to walk or talk.

But Julie said: “While he is unable to walk, he is a very vocal, bright boy who loves life.”

On Sunday, Noah took part in a special one-mile event at the Jane Tomlinson Run For All, along with eight-year-old James Driver, from Rothwell, who suffers from the same condition.

Julie said: “Two people ran the 10K to raise money for Noah’s appeal, and we found out there was a mini-run.

“I asked Noah if he wanted to do it and he was really up for it.

“He did absolutely amazingly, he really did. It was an extremely long way, but he was very determined. I don’t think he’s even walked a quarter of that before.”

Tracy Driver, James’s mother, said: “He found it really hard, especially with it being so warm, but he didn’t want to give up, no matter how hard it is, and that’s how it is every day.”

In January, an appeal was set up by Noah’s parents to raise £22,000 to pay for a procedure called selective dorsal rhizotomy, which Willow Emmison-Neal, from Skipwith, near Selby, flew to America to receive earlier this year.

The procedure has only recently been introduced in the UK, and while Noah has been approved for the operation, the NHS will not pay for it, so his family must fund the funding themselves.

Julie said: “We’re doing really well, nearly at about £18,000. Once we’ve got £22,000 we will approach the NHS and say we’re in a position to fund it.

“We’ll then have to pay for after care for two years, which could cost £15,000. People have been absolutely amazing. The support in Eggborough and Selby has been tremendous and I can’t thank everyone enough for what they’ve done.”

To donate to Noah’s appeal, go to justgiving.com/JULIE-BANKS2