Business answers buggy plea

Six-year-old Tom Foster is set for a new lease of life thanks to kindhearted bosses at a Cannock company who have paid for him to get a brand new special needs buggy.

Property developers Damar Homes stumped up £700 after they heard of Tom's plight. Tom, from Rugeley, was born 14 weeks premature and has cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

His parents desperately needed a lightweight buggy for him to make it much easier to transport him. Cannock children's charity BDF Newlife issued an appeal for funds on their behalf.

Company directors Andy Dace and Ian Marsh answered their plea and paid the full £700 to meet the cost of the buggy.

Tom's mum, Cindy Foster, said: "We are extremely grateful to Damar Homes and BDF Newlife. Special needs equipment is all so very expensive, without charities like BDF Newlife a lot of local children would have to wait a long time for certain pieces of equipment.

"Tom is a very active youngster and all that we could get for him was a standard wheelchair which just wasn't good enough for his leisure activities. With disabled children leisure is really important for them. It's nice that a local company can see their money go to one little boy rather than into one big fund."

Andy Dace, director of Damar Homes, said: "We are extremely delighted to present Thomas with this special buggy, and hope that it will vastly improve mobility for both him and his parents."

Sheila Brown OBE, chief executive of BDF Newlife, added: "This is a fantastic gesture by Damar Homes and we hope other businesses will follow suit. Through us, businesses can make a direct impact on the lives of sick and disabled children and their families in the region.

"If there are any companies in the Cannock area who would like to support a local child with vital equipment please contact us on 01543 462777."

By Shaun Lintern