'˜Thank you for overwhelming support for us'

Leann and Andrew Cruse from Denny are on a DIY SOS mission to change their five children’s lives for the better as they struggle to cope in their three-bedroom home.

Their youngest son Cole (3) is severely disabled and suffers from brain abnormalities, a hip deformity, global development delay, epilepsy and asthma. He doesn’t have his problems to seek.

Older brother Lewis (14) has autism and dyspraxia which affects his balance and co-ordination.

Cole’s condition is more serious. He is unable to walk and requires a wheelchair. He still can’t talk and is hospitalised regularly with life-threatening seizures,

Due to the physical effects of the boys’ conditions the family needs extra space.

After exhausting all avenues for a larger home, the desperate couple launched a crowdfunding campaign to help them raise money to build an extension.

The the support they have received so far has been “overwhelming” according to Leann, who had to give up her job in recruitment to care for Cole, while dad Andrew still works as a crane engineer.

She said: “We had looked at every option such as selling our house and moving to a more suitable one, but unfortunately I have gave up working to look after Cole and we can’t afford to sell and buy or get a loan.

“We also looked into selling our house and applying for a council house, but unfortunately the council doesn’t have the size of property to suit Cole’s needs either.”

Since starting the crowdfunding campaign on gofundme.com with a target of £40,000 in February, over £11,000 has been raised through a mixture of generous donations and community spirit with people organising fundraising events.

“I would like to say a special thank you to everyone who has helped so far,” added Leann.

“We as a family can’t thank everyone enough for all their help. We would never have been able to achieve this amount without their support. This is all to change a little boy’s life who deserves to be able to live in his own house and do what his brothers and sister can do.

“From starting fundraising in February and contacting the Falkirk Herald, we have had an overwhelming response from lovely kind people who have helped by holding events, volunteering their services, cash donations and donating raffle prizes.”

Architect Billy Smith from iLine Designs is also donating his services for the design of the extension. Direct Slating is donating the roof material and roofer Derrick Bachen will do the roof work free of charge.

If you are able to help in any way, check out the Facebook page The Helping Little Cole Fund, crowdfunding page Little Cole’s Fund on gofundme.com or contact Leann on [email protected].

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