Town rallies for baby (From Oxford Mail)

Town rallies for baby

8:07pm Sunday 2nd September 2007 in News By Emily Allen

Fundraisers from all over Didcot have raised more than £5,000 for baby Thomas Dawson, who suffers from 'flat head' syndrome.

The town's fundraising team, the Thong Rangers, presented the Dawson family with a cheque for more than £3,000, including over £1,000 raised by the Waterwitch pub.

Cousins Paul Goodall, 26, and Ross Stevens, 19, also presented a cheque for £2,288 from a sponsored sky dive, which raised nearly £500 more than their original target. Shops and businesses from around the town pooled funds and resources to help with the fundraising.

Clothes for Work supplied T-shirts and raffle prizes were donated by Wilkinson, Focus, Print Express, Value House, The Wave, Quick Start Motorcycle Training, Co-op, Splitz restaurant and Andy's Hair and Fashion.

Joanna Dawson, Thomas's mother, said: "It's amazing, I really can't thank everyone enough for their support. The money will go towards Thomas's treatment over the next six months and anything else will go to Plagio UK. "

The six-month-old baby was born with severe plagiocephaly and brachycephaly, or flat-head syndrome.

He must wear a £2,000 helmet 23 hours a day for six months to correct the shape of his skull.

The Thong Rangers drew eye-popping glances recently as they pulled a monster truck through town.