Proud to support our charity champion

Jarrow-based UTS Engineering Ltd, has donated £1,000 to support dedicated charity fundraiser and employee, Lee Sinclair, whose three-year-old son, Carter, has Spina Bifida

Technician, Lee, from South Shields, said: “Carter was born with Spina Bifida, a condition which occurs when the bones don’t form properly around a baby’s spinal cord. Ever since, myself and my partner, Samantha, have dedicated our time to raising money to support three causes that are close to our hearts.

“They are the charity, Shine, which provides specialist support from birth and throughout life, for anyone living with Spina Bifida. Also, ward 1B at the RVI Hospital, Newcastle and South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust Children’s Physiotherapy service based at Palmer Community Hospital, in Jarrow, which has maximised Carter’s quality of life with specialist treatments.

“When Carter was born his spine had not fully developed and as a result of his condition he has had to undergo numerous spinal and brain operations.

“I was delighted that UTS donated £1,000 at a charity dinner I helped to organise to raise awareness of Shine and to provide much needed equipment for the two wards. I would also like to thank the company for allowing me time, during work hours, for hospital and physio appointments for Carter.

“Carter is looking forward to attending Ridgeway Nursery School in South Shields, which has very kindly agreed to extend the outdoor space having assessed his needs.

“I look to raise awareness and funds to the best of my ability, by participating in events such as the Great North Run. It is important to me to highlight Spina Bifida and to encourage people to support the charity in whatever way they can.

“On behalf of Carter and my family, this is a chance to thank everyone who continues to support us.”

Shaun Sadler, managing director at UTS Engineering, said: “Lee has our admiration and respect for the effort that he puts in to fundraising.

“It is fantastic to learn that Carter is benefiting from everyone’s support and we look forward to seeing him progress.”

Vicky Mercer, clinical lead physiotherapist for the Children’s Physiotherapy service, based at Palmer Community Hospital, said:  “We are absolutely delighted with the very generous donation from UTS Engineering, Carter and his family.  We have known Carter since he was five-months-old and, in that time, we have got to know him and his family well.  Carter has made fantastic progress in physiotherapy and is now able to take some independent steps, which is an incredible achievement.  He works hard in his therapy sessions but has fun, too!

“We provide a service for children with long-term neurological and developmental conditions, including Spina Bifida, Cerebral Palsy, genetic disorders and developmental delay.  We aim to help them to maximise their independence and function and work very closely with the children and their families.  The money donated to us will buy a piece of equipment that will benefit children who attend for physiotherapy and we would like to thank Carter and his family very much.”

To find out more about the charity Shine and the work it does, please visit: www.shinecharity.org.uk