Oliver Duerden Update

[DaveDRFC]

I thought everyone on here might be interested to hear about how Ian Duerden's son Oliver is doing. As you will no doubt be aware the VSC invited Ian and his family to the Rovers vs Swindon game in April, and Olly turned out to be a good luck charm watching us earn a vital 1-0 win in the push towards the Championship.

The VSC and the Supporter's Club (who kindly organised a collection on the away buses to Coventry) managed to raise well over £1000 towards a new wheelchair for Olly, and we have been speaking to Ian and Caroline over the summer to find out how he is getting on.

Olly had an operation in June to lengthen and straighten his spine, which is an ongoing process which the surgeons need to do to ensure he is growing properly. He recovered well from this and was able to attend the first Oliver's Tree Summer Ball that was organised to raise more vital funds towards his treatment. They have just ordered Oliver a new trike, which is specially adapted to him, and will be a key part in furthering his development. They are still awaiting a final assessment for his wheelchair, which will take a while because of the condition he suffers from. No one else in the world has what he's got so it is difficult for them to get it exactly right!

We are keeping in touch with Ian and Caroline and are hoping there will be an opportunity to raise funds for them again this season, and maybe even get them to Doncaster for another game. Anybody who is interested in how Oliver is getting on, feel free to check out his page on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/OliversTree, which has got a picture of him on his new trike amongst other things.

Thanks again to everyone who donated back in April, I'm sure you will all agree it is a brilliant cause and one that the VSC are very happy to be able to help out.

[ctay]

Good effort, thanks for the update.

[Belle-Vue-Ghost]

Thanks for the update Dave and all the best to Oliver