We have just completed our first six months and been overwhelmed by the support we have received and the donations big or small in our bid to set up a specialist physiotherapy centre in SE London - hopefully Greenwich - for children like my Freddie with serious mobility problems.

Freddie was born at 28 weeks with cerebral palsy, weighing 2lbs 12oz. Now he’s just turned seven and is a wonderfully bright child who goes to Montbelle primary school in New Eltham, who have been just great since his first day there. Our aim is simply to get Freddie up on his feet. He goes three times a year, for three weeks, to a centre near Oxford that has the “Spider”, equipment with elasticated rope that helps Freddie do his intensive physio under the best conditions.

It’s the only centre of its kind in the country and we want to set one up here, Spider and all, not only for Freddie but for scores, if not hundreds, of children like him.

The other week I went to Headcorn in Kent to watch some charity parachute jumps for the foundation but ended up doing one myself! We have had people climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, cycling and walking great distances, children swimming length after length, as well as things like curry nights and coffee mornings.

Sainsbury’s in Eltham have adopted our charity for a year, Shooters Hill Golf Club is a constant ally and Tally Ho Cricket Club fines it players every match for our benefit. No wonder we are overwhelmed.

It confirms to me that good-hearted people far outnumber the bad ones. So thanks to everyone who has supported us. You give us the strength to get this thing done.

Deanne Farmer

www.freddiefarmerfoundation.org.uk

www.bmycharity.com/freddiefarmer

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The Young Ones were back in action for their mate Freddie Farmer at the Family Fun Day at Eltham Park South on Saturday, September 10.

Nine-year-olds Harry Catchesides, James Turner and Tom Ardley manned the Freddie Farmer Foundation stall at the park in Glenesk Road with a little help from grown-ups Joanna Catchesides and Freddie’s mum, Deanne Farmer.

“The boys looked great in their Freddie T-shirts,” said Deanne. “James has already done a charity swim for the charity and they’re always ready to help on occasions like this.”

“It was a great event with a dog show included. The foundation stall sold ‘shabby chic’ picture frames, heart cushions, bags and pegs. Quite a bit was donated by my friend Debs from her internet shop, Beautiful Mayblossom.”

“We raised £305 on the day, including £76 from the sale of raffle tickets. Greenwich Theatre kindly donated four tickets for the panto, which is always good. This year it’s Aladdin. The draw is not until November 12 so I’m hoping to raffle a lot more.”

Meanwhile, Tally Ho CC raised over £500 in a 20/20 cricket match against Garrison Wanderers at Woolwich on August 31.

The fund-raising was for the Freddie Farmer Foundation, set up in February, to raise £250,000 to set up a specialist physiotherapy centre in SE London for children and young people with cerebral palsy and serious mobility problems. Deanne’s son, Freddie, who was born at 28 weeks with cerebral palsy, weighing just 2lbs 12oz, has been the inspiration behind it.

Donate online at www.bmycharity.com/freddiefarmer

38-year-old Deanne Farmer saved the day at a skydive fund-raiser yesterday, (Thursday, September 1st), by jumping out of a Cessna 208 at 12,000 feet for seven-year-old Freddie.

The Eltham mum dived in after her dad, Danny Catchesides, and older brother, Dan, 41, got the thumbs down at Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent after 62-year-old Danny had the wrong medical form with him, and Dan was a pound over the British Parachute Association’s 14st 7lbs safety limit.

Brother Dan said: “I thought being under 15st was okay, but it was incredible of Deanne to step in. That sums her up really.”  

"Dad and Dan were so disappointed not to be able to jump,” said Deanne. “I guess the best way to do a parachute jump is by not being prepared at all!”

“I felt a little bit queasy on the spins, and jumping out the plane was a bit surreal but before you can change your mind they say just go and you freefall and it’s amazing, you’re just looking around at everything, it’s awesome. I loved it and it goes so quickly. I’d recommend anyone to do it.”

The tandem skydive was for the Freddie Farmer Foundation, set up in February, to raise £250,000 to set up a specialist physiotherapy centre in SE London for children and young people with cerebral palsy and serious mobility problems. Deanne’s son, Freddie, just turned seven, has been the inspiration behind it.

Tandem instructor Lance Corporal Frank Millerick, from the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, did the dive with Deanne, his 951st. He said: “We’ve had more than 200 charity skydives so far this year. It was brave of Deanne but sometimes you need a leap of faith like this.”

Two other stalwart supporters from Shooters Hill Golf Club, 33-year-old Alex Williams and Dave Gravell, 34, skydived after Deanne for the charity.

The skydive has raised approximately £3000 through sponsorship and readers can donate online at www.bmycharity.com/freddiefarmer