Daniel Thomas, a young local photographer has lived in Rye for all his 21 years. He suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a severely disabling and life-limiting neuromuscular condition which mainly affects boys. Daniel was diagnosed when he was 5 and he has been in a wheelchair since he was 11 and is now struggling to use his arms.
For Daniel, sleeping is not straight forward: he needs a specially adapted Arctic bed
which would make him much more comfortable, turning him from side to side, moving each leg individually and reducing his reliance on carers through the night. This bed costs £5,000 and he, with his family and friends, are aiming to raise the funds needed to purchase it.
Jo and Jason Dorey, owners of Ethel Loves Me, have been raising awareness of this campaign by dedicating their High Street shop window to Daniel and his urgent need for funding.
Daniel has created a 2024 calendar featuring stunning photography of Rye and the surrounding area taken on his phone and these are currently on sale at Ethel Loves Me for £5. The calendars have been printed free of charge by Ian Foster of Adams and would make a lovely and affordable stocking filler for Christmas.
The fundraising is running until the end of October and all donations, however small are very gratefully received. Please help Daniel to reach his target. What a huge difference this bed will make to him. All donations can be made to the address below. Thank you to Jo and Jason for all their support for such a worthy cause.
Ethel Loves Me, 105 High Street, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 7JE – www.ethelloves.me.
Image Credits: Kt bruce , Jason & Jo Dovey .
A heartwarming story of a great community rallying round to help one another.