Bolton: Total Warrior test for aunt to raise funds for Spina Bifida Association

Jack Heaton was born with the most severe case of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.

And despite his mum Nicola being told at 20 weeks there would be complications and termination was an option, but she took a chance on Jack.  

She was told that he would never walk or speak, but he has defied the odds and has already mastered a wheelchair and loves chatting.

Jack continues to thrive everyday

After finding out the diagnosis, Nicola and Alana's brother Chris, were referred to fetal medicine and waited for two weeks.

Jack’s aunt  Alana, from Bradley Fold, has decided to step out of her comfort zone by taking part in Total Warrior in June and raising money for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association (SBH).

She added: “Without the charity they would have been lost.

“He stayed in hospital for quite a while and the family was sent home at the start of Covid and left to their own devices.

“It was Chris and Nicola that reached out to SBH for advice and help.The charity got in touch with my brother Chris and Nicola and gave them the guidance needed.

“I felt I had to do something for my godson.

“So, I decided to challenge myself and out there.

“Jack continues to thrive each and every day.”

Alan spending quality time with six-year-old Caitlin and Jack

Hydrocephalus also means that Jack has excess fluid in his brain, which he will have for life.

His family are originally from Bolton but now live in Scotland.

It can however result in a good recovery, if it is spotted early and treated, although there is no cure.

Alana says that the charity is close to her heart because of what they have done for Jack’s life and also for his mum, and dad, providing support at a time when it was needed the most.

She added: “All the things they said that Jack would never be able to do, he is doing.

“He is amazing and is such a little character.

“He was really poorly as a baby, and it was really heart-braking to see because there were some really scary moments.”

Alana says that she is bringing her daughter Caitlin Grime up, to not know any different, so that she ‘treats Jack just like any other child’.

Brave Jack and his family making memories together

She added: “It is tough for some of the other children where we have to explain that Jack is never going to walk or go to the toilet on his own.

“There are also a lot of things that people don’t see when they see a cute picture of him.”

Exercise is nothing new for Alana, but rather than her usual 5-10k run, she will be doing a 12k course, with 25 obstacles involved.

Some of the obstacles include pulling herself along the monkey bars, ice, and mud baths, and electric cables that she has to climb on.

She added: “It’s not for the faint hearted, but it might not be as bad as I think it’s going to be.”

Although Alana has reached her target, she is keen to raise as much money as she can for the charity.

Click here to support the charity (www.gofundme.com/f/total-warrior-for-jack-the-warrior).

Despite the challenges that lie ahead, the family are still hopeful for the future.