Community fundraising boosts baby Wyatt’s appeal

The mother of a Larne baby with flat head syndrome says she has been overwhelemd by public support while fundraising for a corrective helmet.
James McGee with little Wyatt who suffers from Plagiocephaly. James with his wife Kerry together are raising funds to help other young children with the illness. INLT 05-146-GRJames McGee with little Wyatt who suffers from Plagiocephaly. James with his wife Kerry together are raising funds to help other young children with the illness. INLT 05-146-GR
James McGee with little Wyatt who suffers from Plagiocephaly. James with his wife Kerry together are raising funds to help other young children with the illness. INLT 05-146-GR

Wyatt Magee, who is six months old, was born with plagiocephaly, colloquially known as “flat head syndrome.”

The condition occurs when the head is flattened on one side, causing it to look asymmetrical. Wyatt’s condition is caused by torticollis, a tight muscle on the left hand side of his neck.

Two weeks ago, Wyatt’s mother Kerry told of her frustration that a £2,000 corrective helmet for her son was not available on the NHS. The local woman launched the “Wyatt’s head start” campaign to raise funds to provide helmets for her son and other children affected by the condition.

She told The Times: “The support we have had is fantastic, we can’t believe it.

“Businesses, friends and family and even strangers have donated.

“This helmet isn’t cosmetic. Wyatt was born with this and it is impacting on the way he is developing by pushing his ear out and causing bulging.

“These helmets are still not available to everyone on the NHS.”

Even if enough money is raised to fund Wyatt’s helmet, Kerry says that she is determined to keep fundraising to help other families affected by the condition.

She continued: “So far we have raised around £1,000. It’s fantastic, I can’t believe the support.

People are very generous and you don’t realise how many people care until you are in the position where you need help.

“Even if Wyatt gets his helmet on the NHS the money raised will go to other families in need.”

Several local businesses have donated prizes for a ballot to raise money for the cause.

These include Handyman Gardener, East Antrim Electricals, Imaj Barber, Flower Lady, Scratch Nails by Heather, Jenna Taggart Mua and Tarots by Rose.

Kerry is hoping to present the ballot prizes during a fundraising night at the end of February.

Entertainer Billy Teare has offered his services free of charge for the fundraising evening, and local firm Mullholland’s of Larne has offered to undertake fundraising events in support of the scheme.

Thanking the businesses and public for their contributions, Kerry praised the brilliant support the family had received.

Ballots, costing £5 per strip or £2 per ticket, are available from Imaj Barber’s in Larne.

It is also possible to donate directly to the fund online by searching for Wyatt’s Head Start at gogetfunding.com.

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