A YOUNGSTER from Whitefield with cerebral palsy may have the chance to undergo pioneering treatment – in part thanks to a Bury man’s generosity.

James Simpson, aged 11 months, took nine minutes to begin breathing spontaneously after his birth in June 2012, the lack of oxygen causing him significant brain damage.

He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy aged six months and parents Gill and Mark Simpson, of Goats Gate Terrace, hope raising £6,000 for advanced biomechanical rehabilit-ation (ABR) will give their little boy a brighter future.

This Saturday, friend Carl Sammon, aged 35, of Chestnut Avenue, Bury, is to complete a 15,000ft tandem skydive to help pay for the alternative treatment.

Mum-of-one and full time primary teacher Gill, aged 28, said: “We are over-whelmed by the support we have received so far and can’t thank Carl enough for jumping out of a plane for James!

“With support like this, we know James will get the best start in life.”

James spent two weeks at St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester following his birth but after bringing him home his parents immediately knew some-thing was wrong.

Gill said: “James never slept. He screamed incon-solably day and night, often for nine straight hours at a time, and was in agony.

“At four months old it was discovered he had extrem-ely severe acid reflux and was having more than 220 episodes a day, so he was placed on a cocktail of drugs to help his symptoms.

“We believed James’ biggest problem had been found, but at six months he began to miss milestones.”

Unable to grab toys independently, bring objects to his mouth or sit up and with twisted arms and fists, James was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Gill added: “James so desperately wants to play with his toys but gets so frustrated when his arms won’t do what he wants them to. He wants to be crawling, wants to be sitting up, wants to be eating solids but he can’t.

“We hope the skydive will make around £1,000 so with money from other fund-raising events still to be tallied and other projects planned, we should raise enough to help our son realise his full potential.”

Carl will complete the daring stunt after his Bury employer Milliken Indust-rials Ltd agreed to back him.

Carl said: “I just wanted to help James and do whatever I can, and when I discussed the idea with my boss the company was happy to fund me.

“I hope we can raise as much money as possible!”