Seriously ill Zach, 3, needs your support

Little Zach Blackburn, three, suffers from several devastating conditions including a benign brain tumour, autism and global developmental delay.

Now his parents Andy Blackburn and Tricy Isherwood want to raise enough cash to buy specialist gear – including a pushchair, bed and sensory equipment – to better his life.

The pair, of Back Lane, Glapwell, said: “Zach is an adorable and unique little boy.

“Initially we were in shock with his diagnosis and were devastated to realise that he was so poorly – but as time has gone on we’ve learned to cope with Zach’s condition.

“He has a very uncertain future so this makes getting equipment through local services extremely hard, even though it shouldn’t be.

“Zach, like many children, deserves to have his needs met and his quality of life improved.

“Hopefully we can raise enough money to get the equipment needed and he can have an improved quality of life giving him the same opportunities as other children his age.

“We are still months off getting these essential pieces of equipment and Zach has been unable to go out for the day or go on holiday.”

Zach, who often loses his balance and suffers bouts of sickness, is currently fed through a tube and is seen by various medical teams at three different hospitals.

• To help with fundraising efforts, log on to www.facebook.com/zachymimiaturehero

Andy and Tricy will be boiling the kettle and serving chocolate buns for their family and friends when they host a charity tea party later this month. The event will raise vital cash for The Sick Children’s Trust, which supported the pair when Zach was hospitalised in Sheffield. During that time, Andy and Tricy were able to stay nearby, living in Treetop House, a ‘home from home’ provided by the charity. Visit sickchildrenstrust.org/bigchoctea to register to host a tea party for the charity.