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- Seasonal sorrow for Codsall man
by JUDITH SANDERS
A CODSALL grandfather faces another Christmas knowing
his grandson will not be able to open his presents himself
because a road accident has left him crippled for life.
James Fallon, aged 11. "died" twice after receiving
horrific spinal injuries when he was hit by a car while
crossing the road.
The accident happened 18 months ago in South Africa and
it is unlikely he will ever come home because doctors
fear the journey would kill him. The former Codsall schoolboy
is a prisoner in his own body and cannot talk, breathe
or swallow without the aid of a life-support system.
His grandfather, Donald Nicholson, has now made a renewed
appeal for help to try to secure James's future. So far
nearly £5,000 has been raised through donations
but James will need thousands of pounds to buy much-needed
equipment and to pay for 24-hour nursing.
James's seven hour life-saving operation received world-wide
publicity. And the appeal has been given renewed vigour
after EastEnd gangland supremos, Ronnie and Reggie Kray
became involved. James's grandfather described their help
as marveilous.
He said when me accident happened they contacted various
charities for help, including Children in Need, but with
no success. They even wrote to Princess Anne and the Princess
of Wales asking if they knew of any organisations that
could help.
Donald said: "There are only three other people in
the world with the same condition so it is difficult to
make people understand. "I hear Quite regularly from
the the Kray twins. They are the only people who have
come forward to help."
He said the Krays were buying James a computer and are
arranging for an artist to fly out to South Africa to
teach James how to paint by mouth. They then plan to publish
a book of James's work. Reggie Kray has also written a
book, Slang, and donated all the proceeds, expected to
be £80,000, and the copyright to James's family.
Donald said: their help has really been marvellous and
I hear from them quite regularly. "James used to
be so full of life and enjoyed cross country and used
to live for the swimming pool. He was a normal 10-year-old.
"Now he communicates with his eyes or we read his
lips. "When I visit he tells me jokes and laughs
but no sound comes out and when he cries there are no
tears he just closes his eyes."
Donations of cash aid can be sent to the James Fallon
Appeal, Barclays Bank PLC, 72, Lane Green Road, Bilbrook,
South Staffs, WV81LX. |
| Contact : bernard.omahoney@bernardomahoney.com |
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