A COURAGEOUS teenager with cerebral palsy has donated £300 to the Raise the Roof appeal.

Lewis Baker-Vose, from Oswaldtwistle, tackled a seven-mile charity walk in his wheelchair, even walking across the finish line.

The 14-year-old collected sponsorship for his efforts in aid of East Lancashire Hospice and in memory of his grandmother Ruth Baker, who died three years ago.

Lewis, a pupil at Tor View School in Haslingden, was helped by his personal assistant Colin Battrick during the event in May.

But he was adamant that he wanted to get out of his wheelchair to walk across the finish line – and did just that.

His mum Sharon, of Highfield Close, Oswaldtwistle, said: “I didn’t go to the finish line because Lewis said he didn’t want me to cry.

“But since the race I’ve bumped into people and they said lots of ladies were crying as he passed the finish line, because it was so overwhelming seeing what he had done.”

Lewis’ grandmother Ruth suffered from breast and lung cancer and attended day therapy sessions at the hospice in Park Lee Road, Blackburn.

Sharon added: “The hospice said it’s hard enough for people who are physically able to raise money and to see Lewis do it was a big thing for everybody there.

“I’m really, really proud of him. Lewis will jump at the chance to do something different.

“He’s not a person who will just sit around doing nothing, he’s very active and he will try all sorts.”

The money will now go towards the Lancashire Telegraph campaign, which aims to raise £125,000 to build a new roof over the hospice’s inpatients unit.

Currently more than £50,000 has been raised.

Sharon Crymble, the hospice’s fundraising manager, said: “Lewis is an inspiration to many and we are extremely grateful to him for raising this fantastic amount.”

How to donate

  • By text - Send ROOF to 70700. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. East Lancashire Hospice receives at least £4.45. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800.

    Charity No 1075653.

  • Online - At eastlancshospice.org.uk/roof-appeal. Remember to add the word ‘roof’ in the comments section so it is clear the donation is for this appeal.
  • At a bank - Make a payment at any Yorkshire Bank, Account No 22741541, Sort Code 05-02-52. Locally there are branches in Accrington, Barnoldswick, Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, Clitheroe, Colne, Nelson and Todmorden.
  • By post - Send a cheque to Roof Appeal, East Lancashire Hospice, Park Lee Road, Blackburn, BB2 3NY.
  • By phone - Pay by debit or credit card by ringing 01254 733410.

If surplus funds are raised they will be used for the general purposes of the charity.

Click on the link below for more information on the Raise The Roof campaign.