Family of Kai Hamilton, 9, hope to raise funds for electric wheelchair (From Gazette & Herald)

Family of Kai Hamilton, 9, hope to raise funds for electric wheelchair

2:50pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News By Karen Darley

FAMILY and friends of a seriously-ill boy are hoping to raise funds to provide the youngster with a double boost.

Nine-year-old Kai Hamilton, from Norton, was born with a heart and lung condition which has steadily progressed, leaving him housebound and unable to walk upstairs without help.

His mum, Donna, said they were now aiming to buy him an electric wheelchair so he could get out and about and they also hope to take him to London to see specialists at Guy’s Hospital.

Donna said: “The doctors here have told us not to get our hopes up but there are specialists in London who deal with heart problems who may be able to do something more to help Kai.

“We know they can’t cure him but we were told he wouldn’t live until he was eight and he’s nine now.”

Donna said that while they are in London they want to take Kai to see the sights, including the London Eye and one of his favourites – Hamley’s toy shop.

“He went there a couple of years ago as part of a trip organised by the Starlight Foundation and absolutely loved everything so we would love to take him back,” she added.

Donna said she was told there were problems with Kai’s heart before he was born.

“I went for a five-month scan at Malton and was then sent to Leeds where they told me he had a heart condition,” she said.

“When I’d carried him that far I felt I had to go on. The diagnosis kept changing so I felt he had a better chance once he was born.”

Donna said that as Kai had grown the arteries in his heart had not developed and one of his lungs did not work.

She said: “He can no longer go to school and needs daily medicine. “Kai is only nine years old but he has been in and out of hospital all his life and suffered lung, liver and heart failure along with pneumonia.”

Donna, who has two daughters and is expecting a baby in June, said they wanted to buy Kai an electric wheelchair to give him some independence.

“With a toddler and another baby on the way I can’t push a wheelchair and a pram but if we were able to get Kai a wheelchair he could get about himself and spend time with his friends,” she added.

“I’ve never wrapped him up in cotton wool despite his illness and he has always dealt with it brilliantly and would love to get out more.”

A bingo night is being held at the Railway Club in Norton on Monday at 7.30pm to raise funds for Kai.

Donna said some fantastic prizes had been donated, including restaurant vouchers and tickets to tour the Anfield stadium in Liverpool.

“The community has really come together and given so many things and we are hoping to auction some of the bigger prizes on the night,” she said.

“We really want to thank everyone for everything they have done and showing their support.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation can phone Donna on 01653 489021 or family friend Katy Turnbull on 01653 697124.