A kind-hearted Burnham-On-Sea taxi driver has raised hundreds of pounds of cash towards vital medication for a local Tuberous Sclerosis sufferer by undertaking a weight loss challenge.
Denise Bone has completed a sponsored 12-week weight loss programme in which lost 15 and a half pounds and raised £330 for local sufferer Charlie Mander, 25.
Denise told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I used to drive Charlie to Bridgwater College in my taxi and wanted to help him because he’s been very poorly.”
“He has a tumour growing on his kidney, and suffers from Tuberous Sclerosis and epilepsy, and needs special medication not available through NHS funding.”
“That treatment is expensive and will cost thousands of pounds, but is so important to helping him.”
“I told his mum, Jean, that I wanted to help. And because I also wanted to lose weight I decided to go ahead with a weight-loss challenge.”
“I found a trainer, Michelle Gibbs, who has been really superb in giving me lots of very useful dietary advice and weighing me every week.”
Denise added that she’s really “chuffed to bits” to have raised the funds towards the cost and thanked all those who have sponsored her. Jean has passed on her thanks for the suppoort.
Pictured: Jean Mander with Charlie, taxi driver Denise Bone and her trainer Michelle Gibbs at the cheque handover (pic Mike Lang)
