Community helps 'Rays' funds for brave little Rio

A COMMUNITY came together for a fundraiser in support of a "very special little boy".

The event, at St Martin's Church Hall on Saturday, was held to raise money for baby Rio Jacombe.

DIGGING DEEP: A fundraiser for Rio Jacombe was held at St Martin's Church Hall, Nunsthorpe. Picture: Abby Ruston. Buy this photo at www.thisisphotosales.co.uk/grimsby or by contacting 08444 060910

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As reported, he was born prematurely with trachea bronchial malacia, a condition where the airway is soft and weak.

Thankfully, the condition is curable with treatment but Rio, who was born five weeks early and weighing just 3lb 11oz, also has Down's Syndrome and holes in his heart.

His mum, Nicola Hallett, desperately wants to create a sensory room at her home in Milton Road, Grimsby, for Rio – who is now 26 weeks old – after seeing him smile for the first time while receiving treatment at a similar facility at Sheffield's Children's Hospital.

And so, family friend Jade Harvey-Gardner has launched a fundraising drive – called Rays For Rio – with the aim of raising £1,500 to pay for the construction of the room.

The open day, which was the first event in the appeal, featured an indoor bouncy castle, a charity raffle, face-painting and a children's magician.

Speaking at a packed St Martin's Church Hall, and holding Rio in her arms, Nicola said she was "overwhelmed" by the community's support.

"I'm absolutely amazed and it has made me very emotional to see the number of people who have turned out today – I cannot believe how much people care. There are people here today who have never even met me or Rio, who want to help out – it is absolutely astonishing.

"The room would make such a difference to Rio; it is so important for him. I'd just like to say a huge thank you to everyone for their support."

Jade, who organised the fundraiser, said: "I've known Nikki for a long time and when she said what she wanted to do for Rio, I knew I wanted to help out.

"I thought to myself – we could really do this and so I started the Rays For Rio group on Facebook and the appeal has just taken off from there.

"Today has been fantastic – I've been absolutely amazed by the response of the community and have been absolutely astonished by their generosity.

"The sensory room will make such a big difference to Rio and Nikki and I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has turned out today to support this event."

Find out more

For more information on the campaign, search for "Rays For Rio" on Facebook.