School holds all day relay to raise money for seven-year-old pupil's life-changing operation

Staff and pupils at Llantarnam Community Primary School took part in the relay to raise money for Lucas Rice, who was born with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy – meaning that he cannot straighten his legs fully, and requires the help of a frame.

He needs a specialist corrective surgery called SDR, followed by a long course of intensive physiotherapy to help him walk. However, this is not available on the NHS.

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The latest fundraising event at the school saw pupils and staff take part in an all day relay around the playing field.

Classes took it in shifts to run for an hour at a time. Lucas' class started the relay, along with his parents Darren and Joanna.

Lucas Rice joins classmates in an all day run at Llantarnam Community Primary school as they fundraise for Lucas to have an operation so he can walk without a frame. christinsleyphotography.co.uk.

Mr Rice said: "The fundraising is going well. It’s really picking up now.

"It’s events like this that have really helped. He has so many people behind him, especially at the school.

"Tomorrow (Friday), Lucas will have his Gait analysis in Bristol, and we hope after that he will get the go ahead for his operation. We are hoping that he will be able to have his operation before the end of the year.

"The Gait analysis costs £2,000 and it is not funded by NHS Wales. It involves meeting with physiotherapists and doctors, he will have x-rays taken of his legs and hips, and they will analyse his walk to see what he needs and whether he will be a viable candidate for the operation."

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Pete Biggins, Lucas' teacher, said: "As we are doing our health and wellbeing week in school this week, we thought it would be a good idea to do a sponsored run for Lucas.

"It is nice to do it and go out and get some exercise. Hopefully we can raise a nice chunk of money for Lucas.

"They still have a long way to go with the fundraising and everyone is keen to help them out at the school. It is a nice community thing within the school and it is nice to get everybody working together."

Lucas Rice (L) with his twin brother Joshua. christinsleyphotography.co.uk.

Lucas said: "I'd like to say thank you to the school and my friends for raising money. It means a lot to me."

On Sunday, a charity football match is being held between Specsavers Cwmbran and Specsavers Newport at Penylan Fields in Coed Eva at 3pm, with tickets costing £5.

For more information, or to find out more about upcoming fundraising events, search

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