Store’s wheelchair boost for Thomas

Thomas Gardner with Tesco staff who helped raise money for his wheelchair

A BOY who suffers from muscular dystrophy showed off his new wheelchair to the fearless fund-raisers who helped to pay for it.

Thomas Gardner, from Garden Suburb, was delighted with the new wheelchair, bought with money raised by Tesco staff, and paid a visit to the Huddersfield Road store to say thank you.

The 11-year-old needed £5,000 to pay for the high-tech wheelchair.

Tesco’s charity of the year was the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, and Springhill Hospice, Rochdale, and staff held a host of fund-raising events.

It included five of them braving a 14,000ft skydive over Morecambe Bay, which raised £1,500. Taking part were Wes Davies, Lee Coleman, Caroline Dean, Tahrah Ali and Danielle Ormerod.

Staff have stayed in touch with Thomas and his family and they have even enjoyed a Christmas dinner with them.