Dance to help Little Cole

The Dance Off on Friday hopes to raise lots of cash for the Little Cole Fund and is the latest in a series of fundraising events.

Leann and Andrew Cruse are desperately seeking funds to adapt their current three-bedroom property.

They have five children – two of whom suffer from serious health problems.

Little Cole (3) has brain abnormalities, a hip deformity, global development delay, epilepsy and asthma. Big brother Lewis (14) has autism and dyspraxia which affects his balance and co-ordination.

Cole suffers from seizures, is unable to crawl and requires a wheelchair. He can’t talk and is hospitalised regularly with life-threatening seizures and due to the physical effects of the boys’ conditions the family needs extra space.

It would cost the family £40,000 to build an extension for this, money they just don’t have. Andrew (36) still works as a crane engineer, but Leann (34) had to give up her job in recruitment to care for Cole.

Over the past couple of years they have searched for solutions including moving into a larger council house. Leann also even considered moving to Peterhead through another housing association as it was the only house she found that met their needs.

In a desperate move, the couple have now resorted to asking the public for help and set up a crowdfunding campaign to help them raise the money they need.

Leann said: “We know this is a massive ask, but we really are out of options. Our living conditions are simply just not suitable for our family and we just want the best for all of our children.”

Crowdfunding for this type of cause is becoming more common and the family has received advice from couples who have gone down this route.

Friday’s Dance Off takes place simultaneously at Camelon Juniors Social Club and Denny’s The Crypt between 6pm and 8pm.

It costs £5 and participants can enjoy two hours of zumba-style dancing

For more information about the fundraising, visit the family’s Facebook page, The Helping Little Cole Fund and crowdfunding page Little Cole’s Fund on gofundme.com.