Metro Rod raises money for child with cerebral palsy

Metro Rod Billinge has contributed towards the cost of an operation needed to reduce the tightness in five-year-old Reuben Aslett’s legs.

Reuben is the nephew of Metro Rod engineer Jamie Harrison, who was able to encourage his co-workers to donate funds to the worthy cause. Forced to use a wheelchair, Reuben needs a £16,000 operation but does not qualify for surgery on the NHS.

However, staff at the drainage franchise unit in Billinge, Merseyside, were able to help raise the money needed. They started by raffling a hamper for £500 and adding a further £200 into the mix. Employees also organised a collection, and the Managing Director, Peter Molloy, matched the total amount of donations.

Now, the workforce has raised thousands of pounds and is planning a virtual bike ride to push the total up again. Kate Ashurst, a personal assistant at the branch, explained,

“Obviously, a lot of us in the business have little ones ourselves, so it has been quite touching that we can help [Reuben], especially because his uncle works for Metro Rod.”

Reuben’s mum Laura Harrison expressed her gratitude for the business’s fundraising efforts:

“Metro Rod has done quite a lot for him. They just keep doing more and more… They have made a massive chunk of the £16,000.”

The surgery, which will take place at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, has been brought forward to July from October next year. Laura added,

“Once they have done surgery, all the tightness will disappear, and hopefully he might be able to come off his muscle relaxant, so that’s one less medication to take.”

People are still adding to the fund, which now has a target of £20,000 to cover both the surgery and subsequent physiotherapy for Reuben. If you’d like to donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/reuben-jace.