The Mercury group’s Baby BJ appeal has smashed through its £12,000 target.

The newspaper, which covers Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley and Streatham, launched the appeal to buy therapeutic equipment for a baby with meningitis.

BJ – full name Brian James – contracted the potentially fatal virus in August and it has claimed his right leg, left foot and the fingers of his right hand.

The Mercury asked readers to donate £12,000 to buy a cover for the boy’s therapy pool.

And just eight weeks after the campaign was launched, £14,691 has been donated.

BJ’s mum Diane Applegate said: “We can’t believe the support people have given us. It just leaves you speechless.”

Dad George Applegate said: “The extra money will stay in the account so that it can be used when BJ needs other essentials.

“Throughout his life he is going to need a lot of things that other children wouldn’t need.”

And the donations look like continuing – a charity football match has raised in the region of £4,000.

Meanwhile, work on the pool cover will begin in the next few weeks and should be completed by spring.

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or e-mail us now