In tonight's Star there is a story about Ben Naylor - a nine-year-old boy from Walkley who has spina bifida.

Last year Ben inspired The Star's Give Ben A Lift campaign to raise £30,000 for a lift at Rivelin School, Morley Street, so disabled children and adults can get around the three-storey school in wheelchairs. (Without it Ben, who has been at Rivelin since he was four-years-old, would have had to move to a school in Oughtibridge. He has hydracephalous (water-on-the-brain) so the change would have affected him badly. Needless to say Sheffield Council wouldn't cough up for the lift!)

Fortunately generous Sheffield folk supported him and in February the lift was installed - a success story!

But recently doctors discovered Ben had pre-cancerous cells on his bowel.
Today (Monday) he has had a major operation at Sheffield Children's Hospital to remove his bowel.

To help the family their friends want to raise £2,000 for an electric wheelchair - Ben's Christmas wish.

On Saturday 10th December they have orgainsed a fundraising night at The Spotsman, 100 Walkley Bank Road, Walkley (my pub).

There will be a children's party between 6pm and 8pm and live music (50s, 60s, and 70s) from guitar duo The Two Tones from 9pm.

To raise cash there will be a raffle, competitions and an auction with prizes including a signed Sheffield Utd shirt, tickets to see Wednesday, and a signed Everton ball with Wayne Rooney's signature. Oher pledges of help have already come from Owlerton stadium and the Hallam FM arena.

All forum members are welcome to come along and meet Ben on the 10th and show their support.
(Any other offers of help/donations will be gratefully accepted! - Post here or PM me)

Here's hoping we can make Ben's wish come true!

and he deserves peoples help more than any other child with similar problems why?

I don't understand these media frenzies over single children. Surely giving that amount to a childrens charity to be distributed fairly is a better idea?

You are welcome to your opinion Carl_Malibu, but this family have had to fight for everything for Ben over the last nine years and we think it is about time somebody helps them.
(To make things worse in this case Ben's parents, Tracey and Julian, and his five-year-old sister Lauren are also having to go for tests because the cancer is genetic.)

If you do not want to support them that is up to you.
I am confident there will be people in Sheffield who will want to help.

And for your information I know a number of people who work for charities and can assure you not all of the money you give reaches the good causes it is intended for. A lot is tied up in admin costs and expenses.
I can assure you every penny given for Ben's chair will be spent on his wheelchair, and if there is any left over it will be given to the spina bifida charity which has supported his family since he was born, and thousands of others too.

I just don't understand why some people are entitled to more than others, thats all.

Don't get me wrong I'm not telling people not to give money to this appeal, I just don't understand really.

and I don't understand how you can begrudge this family a bit of support from their friends and well wishers.

I also don't think you appreciate the impact of looking after a child with spina bifida, and the daily battles this family face.

guess we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

(see Star story http://www.sheffieldtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=58&ArticleID=1253253)

Carl, don't be a to**er. If it was your kid you would probably do something similar if you couldn't afford the wheelchair. Although if he was yours he would still only be one single kid so perhaps you wouldn't bother

Originally posted by Carl_Malibu
I just don't understand why some people are entitled to more than others, thats all.

Don't get me wrong I'm not telling people not to give money to this appeal, I just don't understand really.

Carl, no one is entitled to anymore than anyone else. Maybe the way you are phrasing your question is the problem.

Maybe we have a group of people here, including the same youngers as what this little chap suffers from, that have been assesed as a low priority on Public Money.

Hence, it is up to people that know him and his family to do what they can to make his life better.

And I'm sure this happens with many other diseases.

I wish everyone could be helped. I really do.

But the public purse is not bottomless. Although where all our tax on petrol, fags and booze goes is beyond me!

In fact, it's just over the horizon in Iraq.

Let's do what we can do make a differance in the here and now. Try to make a differance through the ballot box next time.

Not that we are given many choices :rolleyes:

Hope your event is very sucessful BTW:D

Part of original post by jarod5369
--I know a number of people who work for charities and can assure you not all of the money you give reaches the good causes it is intended for. A lot is tied up in admin costs and expenses.
I can assure you every penny given for Ben's chair will be spent on his wheelchair, and if there is any left over it will be given to the spina bifida charity which has supported his family since he was born, and thousands of others too.
Personally, I'd sooner give to a cause where the fund-raisers do it voluntarily and don't take a cut of the money raised, rather than contribute towards an all-encompassing charity where the organisers definitely do take a cut of the total donated.

As the Sportsman, on Walkley Bank Road is accepting donations for Ben, it won't hurt to call in when I'm next passing and drop a couple of quid off... I'd far rather do that than entrust my money to some faceless organisation that uses part of it to pay its' employees... Handsomely too, in some cases!

I remember last years appeal for the lift and the difficulties Ben would face if he had to move to another school.

From what I can see, if all the money raised went directly to a National charity, Ben would not get the things that will improve his quality of life, things that a lot of people take for granted.

Jarod, I won't be able to make it to the pub, but I will pop a donation in the post. Can you give me the full address and who a cheque should be made payable to in order for it to get directly to Ben/Ben's family?

Also, I used to sell Virgin Vie cosmetics and have some stock in my spare room. If you can collect, then I can make up a gift collection/gift basket as a raffle prize if you're interested?

I hope you get a good response and plenty of people turn up.

Originally posted by Hels
Also, I used to sell Virgin Vie cosmetics and have some stock in my spare room. If you can collect, then I can make up a gift collection/gift basket as a raffle prize if you're interested?

To me, that's what the SF is all about; people from different backgrounds and not knowing each other reaching out to each other!

God Bless you Hels and other like-minded people! :)

Originally posted by Kristian
To me, that's what the SF is all about; people from different backgrounds and not knowing each other reaching out to each other!

God Bless you Hels and other like-minded people! :)

Could you make this thread stick for a bit Mr K?

I live round the corner and have put it on my calender. See you there. :)

The Sheffield Forum has officially restored my faith in human kindness!
Thank-you all for your messages of support - I will pass them on to Ben and his family and look forward to meeting roobarbpie and anyone else who can come along on December 10.

From today there will be a donations box on the bar at The Sportsman.
If anyone wants to send a cheque please make it payable to Ben Naylor and send it to me at The Sportsman, 100 Walkley Bank Road, Walkley, Sheffield, S6 5AL. (I won't give Ben's address out for obvious reasons but will pass the cheques to his mum Tracey.)

Special thanks to Hels for your offer of Virgin Vie stuff- would make a great raffle prize. Please PM me or phone me at the pub 0114 234 4078.


Thanks again!

UPDATE!

More pledges of support have been coming in today - including the generous donation of a women's mountain bike for a raffle prize!

Tesco at Infirmary Road have also said they will help, and posters should be appearing in a shops across S6 in the next few days.

Fingers crossed, but it's looking good!

UPDATE!

Ben is back at home and recovering well from his operation!

Just a week after major surgery doctors discharged him from Sheffield Children's.

One of the nurses told his mum Tracey they think he is made of rubber because he always bounces back! He is still very weak but he is fighting back.

Ben was thrilled to hear about all the support he had received from the forum and for his Christmas Party and has asked me to thank everyone who has pledged to help.... so THANK-YOU!

The party is to raise enough money to buy Ben (who has spina bifida) an electric wheelchair.
First estimates of £2,000 for the chair were somewhat conservative - Sheffield mobility experts Clark and Partners say it will cost nearer £4,000!
So it is even more important to raise as much at the party as we can.
It is being held on December 10 at The Sportsman pub, Walkley Bank Road, Walkley. A children's party will take place between 6pm and 8pm, followed by live music from guitar duo The Two Tones, an auction, and raffles.

We now have auction prizes from Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Everton, Man U.

Spa 1877 on Glossop Road have kindly donated £150 worth of treatment for five ladies, we have hairdressing vouchers for Marcel Wave, Holme Lane, Hillsborough, and a family pass for ice skating at iceSheffield courtesy of Sheffield International Venues.

Individuals have also donated raffle prizes including a mountain bike, a beautifully iced Christmas cake, and a huge cuddly toy.

Cash donations have also been offered and a company in Leeds which employs people from Sheffield has vowed to make a minimum £500.

Anyone else who would like to help please PM me or call The Sportsman on 0114 234 4078.

Otherwise hope to see you all on the 10th.

Another story will be appearing in The Star tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks!

bump.

(busy forum!)

Originally posted by Carl_Malibu
and he deserves peoples help more than any other child with similar problems why?

I don't understand these media frenzies over single children. Surely giving that amount to a childrens charity to be distributed fairly is a better idea?

Thats just insensitive!

Whats the point in writing such balls, you delibrately trying to offend people?

Originally posted by matt1889
Thats just insensitive!

Whats the point in writing such balls, you delibrately trying to offend people?

Well said!

He wouldn't be saying that if it was he who had spina bifida and needed a wheelchair.

Sounds like a brilliant cause people, lets ignore all that bull that carl_malibu posted earlier cos he has'nt got a clue!

Probably hasnt got any money to donate anyway!

SCROOGE!

matt Oldham

UPDATE!

We have had a fantastic response to our fundraising for Ben and next Saturday looks like being a success! (fingers crossed!)

Ben is making a steady recovery from his operation, and is even being threatened with a return to school at the end of next week! He is not looking forward to that much, but can't wait for his party! Hopefully we will raise a substantial amount to put towards his electric wheelchair.

Ben and his mum Tracey have been really touched by the support everyone has shown, and asked me to thank everyone who has PM'd and added a reply to this thread for them.

We have had a lot of raffle prizes donated (tickets available on the night) and would like to thank all the companies who have got involved.
They include:
Sheffield Theatres, who have donated tickets for the pantomime and a play, Promises Promises.
IceSheffield, who donated a family pass to the rink.
City Hall, who have donated tickets to see Paddy McGuiness ( Paddy from Phoenix Nights)
and Marcel Wave, on Holme Lane, Hillsborough, who have donated a hairdressing voucher

Individual donations from generous Sheffield folk include a mountain bike, a CD machine, a case of wine, bottle of port, and in a true generation-game-style - a cuddly toy!


We would also like to thank those people who have helped us get some FANTASTIC auction prizes.
These include
A SIGNED and FRAMED Newcastle United Shirt
A signed MICHAEL OWEN football
A signed Everton football - (from the Wayne Rooney days)
A pass for 6 people to spend a day at SPA 1877 on Glossop Rd
A signed Sheffield Wednesday teddy bear

Hopefully these - and others - will help us raise lots of money on the night. (I will post the final list next week, should include some more cracking lots!)

Anyone who can't make it on the night, or who is very keen on a certain something, can PM me with an early bid!

The children's party, between 6pm-8pm, will include entertainment from Nigel at balloonline.co.uk. a balloon specialist from chesterfield who will be making balloon animals, hats etc for kids in return for a small donation to Ben.


MASSIVE THANKS again to everyone who has been in touch.

Hope to see as many of you as possible next Saturday!

BEN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY. SATURDAY 10th DECEMBER. THE SPORTSMAN, 100 WALKLEY BANK ROAD, WALKLEY, S6 2AL.
CHILDREN'S PARTY 6pm-8pm. LIVE MUSIC FROM THE TWO TONES from 9pm.
HELP WALKLEY BOY BEN GET AN ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR!

Wont be able to make it but will send a cheque to the adress above good luck and hope he gets his chair and more poor little sod :(

ONLY FIVE DAYS TO GO UNTIL BEN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY!

And our auction prizes are second to none!

Prizes include:

Champagne dinner for two at Stringfellows in London, kindly donated by Peter Stringfellow himself.

Dinner and wine at the new St Pauls Macdonald Hotel in Sheffield city centre by the Peace Gardens, and two month passes to the new gym, courtesy of general manager Garin Davies.

A pamper day for six people at Spa 1877 on Glossop Road, courtesy of owner Conrad Blandford.

A limousine for eight people for an hour, kindly donated by ASL Limousines of Hillsborough.

Ceramic hair straighteners, courtesy of Taylor Taylor in Hillsborough.

A signed and framed Newcastle United shirt, signed by Shearer and the rest of the toon army.

Signed Michael Owen football.

Signed Everton football, from the good old Wayne Rooney days.

Signed Sheffield United shirt, courtesy of the Blades.

Signed Sheffield Wednesday teddy and match tickets.

David Hirst signed Wednesday shirt,

Tickets to se the X Factor at Sheffield Hallam FM Arena in February

Tickets to see Paddy McGuinness (Peter Kay's sidekick in Max and Paddy) at the City Hall in March.


We have also had fantastic support from individuals in Sheffield and have a great selection of raffle prizes, and already have hundreds of pounds in cash donations too.

At this rate Ben's dream will definitely come true!

FINGERS CROSSED!

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL ON SATURDAY!