Recently I wrote here that the crusade to raise £60,000 to Help Wee Oliver Walk had reached its target less than two months into the campaign. Since then, the total has surpassed £75,000 with cash still pouring in.
Tonight Oliver's remarkable parents, Charlene and Neil, posted an update on the campaign's Facebook page.
If you haven't already seen it, this is what they wrote:
"There are still some events left to run that have been planned for Oliver since long before his target was reached. We will continue to run with these events and we thank those involved in organising them for their help and continued support.
"We as a family will not be organising any further events in the meantime and hope that people will not be offended if we turn down any offers of help and support.
"The last three months have been extremely busy and tiring for all of our family. Now we need time to focus on getting Oliver ready for his surgery, both physically and emotionally. We have a hard few months ahead of us but we know we have a huge network of support behind us.
"All money raised from planned events will continue to be transferred to Tree of Hope in Oliver's name, and once Oliver's treatment and rehab is complete, the funds will be made available by the charity to help other kids and their families in situations like Oliver's with surgery costs, medical treatment, equipment etc.
"We can't thank people enough for helping us get to this point... We never imagined in our wildest dreams that it would happen so soon..
"The last three months have been extremely busy and tiring for all of our family. Now we need time to focus on getting Oliver ready for his surgery, both physically and emotionally. We have a hard few months ahead of us but we know we have a huge network of support behind us.
"All money raised from planned events will continue to be transferred to Tree of Hope in Oliver's name, and once Oliver's treatment and rehab is complete, the funds will be made available by the charity to help other kids and their families in situations like Oliver's with surgery costs, medical treatment, equipment etc.
"We can't thank people enough for helping us get to this point... We never imagined in our wildest dreams that it would happen so soon..
"Thank you to everyone who has donated, organised or attended an event, sent messages of support, prayers or helped us with the appeal in any way. We really are grateful.
"We are awaiting the email within the next 3/4 weeks from Dr Park and the St. Louis team confirming Oliver's surgery date, which all being well will be in July.
"Thank you all once again for all the support that you have shown our wee star. None of this would have been possible without you all.
"We'll keep you all posted.
"We are awaiting the email within the next 3/4 weeks from Dr Park and the St. Louis team confirming Oliver's surgery date, which all being well will be in July.
"Thank you all once again for all the support that you have shown our wee star. None of this would have been possible without you all.
"We'll keep you all posted.
Pure class (as we say in Coleraine).
