Oswaldtwistle boy to receive bionic arm thanks to Depher donation

Alexander Sparks’ mum, Dionne, was brought to tears after the generosity of Depher CIC, a charity founded by Burnley man James Anderson.

Dionne, who was trying to raise £13,000 to pay for the arm, is now waiting for an appointment with Open Bionics, who will make Alexander a custom Blackburn Rovers-inspired arm.

Alexander Sparks as a baby (Image: Dionne Sparks)

Dionne posted a video of the emotional moment, when James told Alexander about the £12,699 donation.

In the video, Dionne can be heard crying and the St Andrew’s Primary School pupil can be seen cheering.

“Tuesday (May 23) was a whirlwind. The atmosphere was fantastic it was amazing,” said Dionne.

“There were definitely a few tears.

“Alexander was trying his best to hold back the tears. There was a point where James gave him a hug and I think that is when it sunk in for him and he realised that this man has just improved his future.

“James wasn’t doing this for publicity. If I hadn't recorded the moment it never would have been documented.”

Dionne has also thanked Carl Everitt, co-owner of ice hockey team the Blackburn Hawks, who put the family in touch with Depher.

Carl also gave Alexander a season ticket, t-shirt and invited him to skate on the ice with some of the players.

Dionne said: “We have only taken him on the ice once before as when he falls he can’t break his fall like we can.

Alexander Sparks trying on a bionic arm (Image: Dionne Sparks)

“This is going to give him a fantastic opportunity to do that and build his confidence to skate.”

Dionne said the bionic arm, which is custom made and has moving fingers, will change his life.

She said: “I am so overwhelmed. I have only been campaigning for five days and thought this would be a long process

“It has all happened so fast and this has set him up for life. He’ll now be known as ‘bionic Alex’ instead of ‘the boy with the missing arm’.

“I can’t wait to start the journey as this is going to change his life. He has talked about wanting to go fishing with his dad and being able to reel in a fish and now he will be able to.

“He will have a lot more independence when he has it.”

Dionne set up a JustGiving page for the ‘hero arm’ last week and says all money raised will go towards maintaining it.

“We have raised around £2,000 now which should keep his arm in good condition until the age of 15,” she said.

“I want to thank everyone for their support, love and advice. I can’t believe this has happened so quickly.”

Dionne said Alexander’s birth defect was put down as a “sporadic event” that had not been picked up in scans.

She said: “I didn’t find out his arm was missing until I gave birth to him.

“I had several scans because I had suffered miscarriages previously but doctors never picked up on this.

“When I gave birth I was on a lot of pain relief and thought I was imagining the fact his arm was missing.

“It was so hard explaining to loved ones that he had arrived but was missing an arm.”

While there are prosthetic arms on the NHS, their function is basic and it could take years for Alexander to get one.

Dionne said: “On the NHS you have an open and shut hand but this one has six different hand functions with a stronger grip.

“The bionic arm can be tailor-made. It’s not just there for aesthetic purposes it is very functional.

“It could also be years before he is able to get an arm.”

To make a donation to the fundraiser visit the family’s GoFundMe here.