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Daily launches £5,000 appeal for poorly youngster

A regional daily has launched a £5,000 fundraising campaign to help create a sensory room for a poorly youngster.

The Hartlepool Mail launched its Callum’s Dream appeal to help 22-month-old Callum Smith, who suffers from a range of conditions, including epilepsy.

His parents, Zoe Neesam and Luke Smith, wanted to create a sensory room for Callum to help his development and the paper joined forces with Epilepsy Outlook to launch the campaign.

In just two weeks, the title has raised more than £3,600 and a number of local business have volunteered to decorate and carpet the room in preparation for the new sensory equipment.

Callum Smith is pictured with his parents, Zoe Neesam and Luke Smith, who want to create a sensory room for him.

Editor Joy Yates said: “The Mail through our contacts with a local epilepsy charity heard about 22-month-old Callum Smith who suffers from a range of conditions, including epilepsy.

“His parents have dreamed of creating a sensory room for Callum to stimulate responses and aid development.

“Our readers are renowned for their generosity and desire to help others in the community so we launched the Callum’s Dream appeal to raise £5,000 for the sensory room.

“After just a couple of weeks, we have almost hit the cash target and local businesses have stepped forward to paint, decorate and carpet the room in preparation for the arrival of equipment.

“The appeal has really touched the hearts of our readers and Callum’s family are overjoyed.”

The appeal has been boosted by a number of anonymous donations, including a man who wrote a cheque for £2,500.