Store raises £14,500 for disabled Oxenholme boy (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Store raises £14,500 for disabled Oxenholme boy

8:50pm Wednesday 12th October 2011 in Health By Scott Kirk, Reporter

A SEVERELY disabled boy has been given a computer that will help him text his friends and surf the internet.

Nine-year-old Joshua Hunter, who is quadriplegic and has cerebral palsy, is learning how to use his new Eye Gaze computer at Vicarage Park School.

Once he has mastered the technology he will be able to take it home to Oxenholme.

Joshua, of Bleaswood Road, said he loved being able to use the new device on his own without needing the help of teachers.

After half-term, Joshua, his mother Sarah Hunter, and teaching assistants Lynne Veevers and Pauline Cox will be trained by Smartbox, the company which provided the computer.

“When we tested it out earlier this year I thought it was absolutely fabulous,” Sarah said.

“Joshua has told us he has been enjoying using it and he can’t wait to bring it home. He got really excited when it got delivered.

“The training I’m sure will be difficult for me though – a normal computer’s hard enough to work never mind this complicated one.”

So far, Joshua has been playing games such as tic-tac-toe, but during the next few months teachers will be able to download the curriculum onto his computer so he can study.

The Eye Gaze works by an infra-red box under the monitor picking up Joshua’s line of sight. Once he stares at a button for a set amount of time, it is pressed.

Around £14,500 was raised by staff at Asda, in Kendal, where Sarah works.

Lesley Shepherd, one of Sarah’s colleagues, organised with a ‘Big Night Out’ with staff at Park nightclub and a pyschic night at Netherfield cricket club.

Fundraisers also took part in the Langdale Marathon, the Great North Swim and organised book sales and tombolas.

“We organised this to support one of our colleagues and Joshua is such a character,” Lesley said.