BOLTON Council employee David Bradshaw has been attracting a few stares from colleagues in the planning and engineering services department.

For David is sporting a new hairstyle - the clean shaven look - all in the name of a good cause.

David's nephew, eight-year-old Thomas Partington, of Westhoughton, suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a severe muscle wasting disease which leaves him tired and causes difficulty in walking and he often falls over.

Thomas' parents have launched an appeal to raise money for an indoor/outdoor powered wheelchair which will cost about £3,000, and David decided he would do his bit to help by having his head shaved.

David has raised more than £500 following the charity stunt and would like to thank everyone who has supported him.

Despite all his problems Thomas is very happy and a sociable boy who gets on well with other children and likes nothing better than to play outdoors with his friends.

David was very keen to start the ball rolling for the appeal for, as he says, every day that Thomas is unable to go out and play is a day too many.

Thomas' parents Anne and John have set up a trust fund at Joseph Patrick Memorial Trust with the Muscular Dystrophy Group so that any money raised will be paid into it until their target of £3,000 is reached.

A fund-raising coffee afternoon/evening has given a huge boost to the wheelchair appeal.

The event, organised last month by Mrs Gwyneth Cleworth at her home at Chorley New Road, Bolton, raised £1,000 with more than 200 people dropping in for a cuppa during the day.

Mrs Cleworth, who was still pouring coffee at midnight, said the support had been brilliant both from people attending and the many helpers. There were also a number of anonymous donations.

Last week at a reunion of Mrs Cleworth's former classmates from St Matthew's Primary School, Halliwell, cheques were presented to Thomas's mum, Mrs Anne Partington.

There was also a collection taken on the night which netted another £136.20.

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