More than a dozen businesses have signed up to help cover the cost of Cole Thomson's 'miracle' medicine for a whole year.
As reported by Lanarkshire Live, 'Cole’s Christmas Wish' appeal is asking for 36 businesses to each pledge £500 to cover the cost of the ten-year-old's cannabis oil treatment, which amounts to a whopping £18,000 per year.
Equi's Ice Cream owner David Equi came up with the fundraising idea and was the first of 15 donors to pledge their support.
It is hoped Cole's wish will come true in time for Christmas.
Cole's mum, Lisa Quarrell, told Lanarkshire Live: "Cole’s Christmas Wish campaign is going really well.
"An amazing 15 businesses have signed up already, but for it to work we really need to get the full 36 businesses signed up, hopefully by Christmas, which would give Cole the money for his medicine for the year.
"We are still looking for 21 businesses who are willing to get on board by donating a one-off payment of £500 to keep Cole seizure-free and safe.
"Looking back on posts I shared about Cole four years ago, before he started his Bedrolite cannabis oil, is absolutely terrifying - knowing I almost lost him and knowing, without his medicine, he may not be here.
"So please, if you have a business that could help keep Cole safe, contact me."
For the last decade, the East Kilbride News has followed Cole's heartbreaking journey as his family desperately search for a cure for his paralysing epileptic seizures.
Now fighting an ongoing battle to secure an NHS prescription of cannabis oil - which leaves him seizure-free - Lisa says Cole is “living proof” of the effectiveness of the drug.
However, under huge financial strain, Lisa and her family now have to source £1500 every month to pay for a private prescription.
Cole receives the cannabinoid Bedrolite privately as his NHS consultant is not allowed to prescribe unlicensed medical cannabis due to a lack of robust evidence of the drug’s safety, quality or efficacy.
That's despite the "clear evidence" in Cole's case.
A four-year battle for government funding has resulted in nothing, with the family having so far forked out in excess of £80,000 to keep the youngster seizure-free.
Donor Nasreen Younas from Premier Store Hamilton said: "I read Cole's story and my two-year-old grandson came into my mind.
"I thought 'how difficult must it be to go through this kind of illness without any help from where it should be coming from'.
"Cole's such a lovely kid, how can one person come up with that kind of money? I know you would do anything for your children and Lisa is a very strong-willed lady, but it's just impossible.
"Five hundred pound for a business is not a lot of money, so hopefully others come on board with this campaign."
Gordon McCulloch, owner of GSS Contracts, added: "I've known about Cole's situation for quite some time and supported him last year through our Christmas raffle proceeds.
"We always try and support a local charity throughout the year and knowing about Cole for the past couple of years we're always keen to help out as best we can.
"So if you can help this Christmas please pledge your support to Cole's Christmas Wish campaign."
Donor Alex McGrath of ProSigns has also donated a hospitality table for four at any Hamilton Accies game to be raffled off for one of the 36 donors as a thank you and Mr Equi is offering a year's supply of his famous ice cream to one lucky donor.
To make a pledge call Lisa on 07825 252 523 or email lisaquarrell26@hotmail.co.uk
For more information visit Cole's Campaign on Facebook.
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