Menu

Preston knife crime campaigner’s cycle challenge to raise funds for stem cell treatment for baby Bonnie

Posted on - 19th August, 2020 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Uncategorized
Bonnie-Lyn Cushnagan has Downs Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy after being born 13 weeks early

A Preston safety campaigner and fitness enthusiast is taking on a massive cycling challenge to raise funds for a little girl with Downs Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.

Advertisement

Byron Highton, who runs The JJ Effect, plans to cycle from Smart Fit in Preston to London, to raise money for Bonnie-Lyn Cushnagan, 21 months.

Advertisements
Preston Weekender advert

Bonnie was born 13 weeks early, weighing just 3.5lbs, and underwent bowel surgery when she was just three days old.

She was transferred to a specialist neonatal care unit, and stopped breathing four times in the first eight months of her life.

At nine months old Bonnie was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, which may result from the complications she had at birth – although doctors are unable to say for sure.

Advertisements

Read more: Latest news from Blog Preston

Claire said: “We have had lots of ups and downs. Bonnie was only just learning to roll over at 20 months. I have been using very expensive therapy to help her but it is working, so I will continue to do so.”

However, Claire wants to raise money for her daughter to have stem cell treatment, which could improve Bonnie’s quality of life.

The treatment is in its early stages of development and is not currently available on the NHS.

Claire says: “I am fundraising for stem cell treatment which by all accounts would help Bonnie massively.”

Advertisements
barton manor gym
Byron Highton has launched The JJ Effect, and anti-knife crime campaign in memory of his brother Jon-Jo

Byron, who trains at Smart Fit, Preston, and runs classes from the gym, said: “When lockdown happened I decided I wanted to take on a really big, personal challenge.

“Anyone who knows me, knows I don’t do things by halves. I had this really last minute idea about doing a bike ride and using my business The JJ Effect to help a family in need.

“We have a group of seven people taking part and people have been really generous donating bikes, tents and equipment we will need to take on the challenge.

“We still need another bike and some puncture repair kits but things are starting to take off. We’d really appreciate any help people can offer us, either by donating to the fundraiser or helping with equipment.

“I love fitness but cycling is really not my area of expertise, so to do this will be a huge challenge.”

The team will set off from Smart Fit, Preston on October 12.

To donate to the fundraiser, please visit Byron’s medical fundraiser for Bonnie.

Share
Advertisements
caritas fostering advert
Preston in pictures Preston Bus 207 PO56 JDX (Scania N94UB / East Lancs Esteem)24.03.24 - Penwortham [Church of St Mary] 240323JPGDSC_7658 - Bus stationDSC_7676 - Miller ArcadeDSC_7681 - former Post Office, cenotaph and Town HallDSC_7682 - Central Methodist church, Lune StreetDSC_7668 - Fish (aka Box) MarketDSC_7672 - Miller Arcade View more Advertisement Subscribe to the newsletter

Sign up below to receive Blog Preston's email newsletter. It wings its way into inboxes every Sunday and Wednesday rounding up our top stories and more.

Advertisement News by location

Find news by location, select an area of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

The Preston Guide

Discover local businesses and services near you.

    Advertisements
Advertisement Categories

Find news by category, select an category of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

Blog Preston email updates

Receive our digest of the biggest and best stories every Sunday to your email inbox

We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time from our emails