READERS of The Press have rallied round quadriplegic Marcus Jefferson’s bid to ‘talk with his eyes,’ donating more than £600 to his appeal in a day.

His mother Leanne says she is truly grateful for the great response and generosity of the community.

The newspaper reported on Thursday how Leanne, of Dunnington, hopes to raise £10,000 to buy life changing high tech equipment so her son can communicate with her by moving his eyes.

Marcus has Spastic Quadriplegia, the most severe form of cerebral palsy, affecting both his arms and both legs, after suffering oxygen starvation when he was born.

He cannot speak but can communicate at his school, Hob Moor Oaks, through an ‘eye gaze’ computer, which he can control through his eyes, and his mother now wants to buy one for use full-time both at home and school.

Leanne said then she had launched the fundraising drive at Christmas, and it had already raised £2,180, largely thanks to support from members of Long’s Black Belt School in Acomb, of which she and her partner Phil Airstone were members.

Leanne thanked The Press yesterday for its ‘amazing coverage’ of the story and said the appeal subsequently received donations of £630 in one day, and several prizes had also been donated for a raffle.

“The response was mainly from strangers who have read our story,” she said. “Three generous people donated £100 each.

“Thank you to everybody who took time out of their busy lives to read Marcus’ story and shared and donated to help us get closer to our target.

“We as a family are truly grateful for the great response and generosity of the community.”

By yesterday lunchtime, the appeal total had reached £2,715.

Donations included £100 made on behalf of St Paul’s Pilgrims football team, based in Acomb and Holgate, and £15 from a woman who said: “I would want the best support for my child too, I hope you reach the target soon for your little one.”

Fundraising events planned in coming months to take the appeal closer to its target start with a family fun day between 1 and 6pm on April 16 - Easter Sunday- at the Beagle pub in Acomb and then a walk of the Yorkshire Three Peaks on Saturday May 27.

*To support the fundraising drive for Marcus, go to www.gofundme.com/communication-aid-for-marcus-2vng4dg