Life-changing device for Sam's brave fight
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An Inverness four-year-old has received a life-changing mobility device thanks to the efforts of shop staff from across the Highlands.
Sam Douglas suffers from an undiagnosed neurological condition, which has caused cerebral palsy, epilepsy and developmental delay.
Sam, who lives with dad Kris, mum Steph and older sister Molly, requires long courses of intensive therapy which is not available on the NHS.
His family founded the Step Up for Sam campaign to fund the youngster’s treatment and enable him to become more phsyically independent.
Sam’s story inspired Lorraine Davidson, a store manager at the Co-op in Invergordon, and she rallied colleagues from 19 shops in the north for a summer of fundraising.
They organised bake sales, fun days and tombolas, before tackling the North Coast 500.
So far they have raised more than £32,000 for Sam’s cause.
The money raised has helped to pay for an Innowalk, which costs £12,000 and is only available in Norway.
The device enables safe sitting, standing and walking and allows children to enjoy proper movement.
Sam is one of just three children in Scotland to own one.
"It’s difficult to put into words just how grateful we are to everyone at the Co-op," Mrs Douglas said.
"When Lorraine said that the Co-op wanted to raise money for Sam I was grateful at the thought of a few hundred pounds – yet to have over £30,000, and to finance a complex piece of equipment is nothing short of a miracle for my family and I.
"The Innowalk is an extremely specialised piece of kit, only available from Norway, and it broke my heart to think that we may never be able to get one for Sam.
"The joy he gets from being ‘on the move’ is beyond compare and the regular and controlled movement also helps with all sorts of other breathing and digestives issues that he has to battle on a daily basis.
"We are eternally grateful to everyone has supported this wonderful fundraising crusade."
Co-op area manager Daniel Simpson said: "It’s been an incredible three months for stores across our region who have thrown themselves into raising as much money as possible for Sam.
"As a community retailer, connecting communities, bringing people together and making a difference in local communities is at the heart of our operations.
"We’re hugely grateful to our colleagues, members and customers and members, who have generously dug deep to generate such a significant amount for this very special little boy."
The Douglas family have also founded a new charity called Dream Believe Achieve Highland to help other children like Sam.
