Browse Sections

• Education
• Roadworks
• Shipman
• Special reports

Make a wish, only it may not come true

Sue Carr
29/10/2003

MOST kids dream of trips to Disneyland or meeting Father Christmas. But when the Make a Wish Foundation contacted poorly tot Bobby Coleman, all he wanted was a swing.

Now the five year old, who suffers from a rare genetic disease, has had his dream shattered after Tameside Council failed to deliver its offer of help to find a contractor to soft asphalt his garden.

The problems began last November when the charity offered to grant a wish for Bobby who suffers from life-threatening illness spinal muscular astrophe.

This means Bobby cannot move his arms to their full extent and a simple cough or cold could kill him.

Dad Chris said: "We're not asking the earth and Tameside Council contacted us and told us they could find someone to soft asphalt our garden so Bobby wouldn't hurt himself if he fell from the swing. They promised us it would be done in time for his summer holidays but they're long gone and now we've had to stop telling Bobby because he's been let down so much before."

Chris, of Hanover Court, Ashton, said the little boy was absolutely devastated and the family - mum Cheryl and sisters Rose, Emma Lee and Melody - are now appealing for someone to help them out before the ground freezes over.

He added: "We used to take Bobby to the swings in the park and he loved it but he's too big now. Make a Wish have a specially-adapted swing all ready for us and all we want is for Bobby to be able to enjoy it."

Daryl Maguire, playground manager at Tameside Council, said the council had agreed to help find a company to carry out the work for free but had so far been let down.

"The council has since liaised with another company which is committed to doing the work and we are hoping to contact Mr Coleman within the next week with a firm date" he said.