Edward’s song to help find a cure

FIGHTING for a cure. . . Heidy and Paul Ackroyd with their children, from left, Thomas, Samuel and Edward

CARING fundraisers are hitting all the right notes to raise money for a young Denshaw boy who has been struck down by a severe muscle-wasting disease.

Five-year-old Edward Ackroyd suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition which mainly affects young boys, leaving them wheelchair-bound.

Sufferers rarely live beyond their early twenties.

National charity Action Duchenne raises money for much-needed research and now Edward’s family and friends have released a single to help boost the charity’s funds.

The song, “Never Say Goodbye”, written by Rochdale singer Shane Hamill and composer Paul Lovatt Cooper, explores the relationship between Edward and his mother Heidy.

The track is accompanied by a moving video starring Heidy and Edward and all their friends and family.

Edward’s supporters have set up a website — www.sayhellotoedward.com and people can log on and download the song and documentary for just 99p, from Monday.

Shane Hamill said: “Everyone involved in the project donated their services free and the cost of making the single was paid by Edward’s friends and family — so 100 per cent of the money raised will go to Action Duchenne.”

And Edward’s family is hoping their huge publicity campaign will really help to get the money rolling in.

Celebrities and organisations have been queuing up to lend their support to the charity, whose ultimate aim is to find a cure for this devastating condition.

Shane Hamill said: “Seven hundred Stagecoach buses across Greater Manchester will be advertising the new single from this week and actors from “Heartbeat” and “Emmerdale” have also met Edward and lent him their support.

“Edward’s family and friends are overwhelmed by the support they’ve received and are hoping this single will go really big, so they can generate more publicity and make as much money as possible for Action Duchenne.

“It really is a terrible condition. Only last month, after his fifth birthday party, Edward turned and asked ‘Mummy, why do my legs hurt and why can’t I run as fast as the other children?’.”

The single will be available to download from www.sayhellotoedward.com from Monday and anyone who wants to find out more about the disease can visit www.actionduchenne.org