Daredevil staff’s leap of faith

Thomas Gardner with Dominic Carey (Tesco Store Manager) Sarah Birch (Deputy Manager) dad Martin Gardner and Caroline Dean (Community Champion for Tesco) at the Tesco Store at Hillstores.

A BOY who suffers from muscular dystrophy met daredevil Tesco Extra staff who took to the skies to help him buy a new wheelchair.

Five fund-raisers from the Huddersfield Road store took part in a 14,000ft skydive for 11-year-old Thomas Gardner, of Garden Suburb.

Manager Wes Davies, who originally suggested the idea, was joined by manager Lee Coleman, Tesco community champion Caroline Dean and staff members Tahrah Ali and Danielle Ormerod.

They took part in the tandem skydive from Morecambe Bay to raise money for Tesco’s Charity of the Year, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, and Springhill Hospice, Rochdale.

Staff, customers and local businesses helped raise £1,500.

Thomas suffers from the Duchenne type of muscular dystrophy (DMD) and needs £5,000 to pay for a new wheelchair.

Caroline said: “Thomas came into the store to meet staff who are raising funds for the wheelchair.

“We are also planning a school uniform day to raise further cash for the special cause and the best dressed will get a lollipop.”