A POORLY boy who needs a new set of wheels to get around has been given a boost thanks to a Nissan dealership.
Wessex Garages donated a signed rugby shirt to an appeal helping three-year-old, Romeo Hadley, who has had his legs amputated, buy a new wheelchair.
Gareth Howells, General Manager at Wessex Garages on Hadfield Road, Cardiff, explained: “Romeo has had both his legs amputated after contracting an extremely rare disease called Purpura Fulminans.
“We decided to donate a signed Cardiff Blues jersey to the Rally for Romeo appeal so they could auction it off to raise money to go towards Romeo’s new wheels and legs and help with a new life for him and his family.”
Purpura fulminans is an often deadly thrombotic disorder, which leads to small blood vessels clotting within the skin.
Doctors made incisions in to Romeo’s legs to relieve the pressure of the infection but the procedure was unsuccessful and surgeons had to perform a double leg amputation just above the knees. Within one month, Romeo had 16 operations to remove infected areas and to also have dressings changed.
The signed rugby shirt was bought for £100 by Andrew Miller, who is friends with Romeo’s parents, John and Kate. It was presented to him by Rhys Patchell, who plays Fly Half for the Cardiff Blues.
Andrew said: “We’ve been supporting Rally for Romeo from the start and have donated money and also some prizes to the auction. We will continue to support Romeo and his family.
“I am a keen Cardiff Blues supporter but do not get to many of the games so I was delighted when I won the jersey.”
For further details about Rally for Romeo, visit www.gofundme.com/lzphe0 or https://goo.gl/V0n7au.