Fundraiser for paralysed teen hits £19,000
Alan Nowicki suffered life-changing injuries in an accident while exercising
- Published
A fundraising campaign to help a 15-year-old boy walk again has reached over £19,000.
Alan Nowicki, from Ripon, was involved in an accident in December when he fell onto his head while exercising, leaving him paralysed from the waist down.
Supporters have since raised money for him to be sent to Poland to have potentially life-changing treatment at a residential rehabilitation facility.
His mum, Kamila Nowicka, said she was "eternally grateful" for the donations.
Alan's mother Kamila Nowicka said the family were hopeful for his recovery
Alan was studying for his GCSEs, with dreams of becoming a pilot, when he fell on his head while doing pull-ups at home.
He suffered a spinal cord injury which left him paralysed. The injury has also left him unable to control his bladder and bowel.
Since the accident, Alan has been treated with physiotherapy at the spinal injury centre at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.
Now the family want to take him to a private rehabilitation centre in Poland where it is hoped he will learn to walk again.
Alan's mum said: "No one knows for sure what the outcome of the treatment will be, but we have to give him this chance."
Alan was studying for his GCSEs with dreams of becoming a pilot when he was injured
Ms Nowicka set up an online fundraiser to ask for help towards the cost of the private treatment, which she believes is needed if there is "the slightest chance he will walk again".
"The response to it has been absolutely tremendous," Ms Nowicka said.
"Waking up this morning to more than £19,000 is absolutely incredible.
"We can't thank people enough for their kind words and donations.
"I'm just eternally grateful to everyone for their support."
The donations will pay for the cost of flights and transfers to take Alan and his family to an eight-week residential rehabilitation stay.
However, there is still a long journey ahead for the family as the funds will not cover any additional treatments or medications Alan might need while in Poland.
But the family said they remained hopeful.
"Alan is a good soul, the most kind and caring person you could meet," said Ms Nowicka.
"He doesn't give up, he fights and thinks positively all the time.
"He wants to go back to school as soon as possible and write his GCSEs this year."
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