A ‘fantastic community effort’ has helped the family of a young boy with a range of debilitating skin and kidney conditions being able to move into a house that would “change their lives” this week.
Morgan Bishop, 7, suffers from eczema, red skin syndrome, asthma, a number of severe allergies and Focal Segmental Glomeruloscleerosis (FSGS) Nephrotic Syndrome – a life-threatening kidney condition.
His family last year appealed for help raising a £40,000 for a house with a garden and separate bedrooms for Morgan and younger brother Jensen, 3.
Last month they reached their target after receiving donations from local businesses and residents and organising a number of fundraising events over the last year. They will move into their new house – in Tadworth – on Thursday (May 25).
Morgan and Jensen Bishop
On the Morgan’s Mission Facebook page, his family wrote: “I know having a house is going to make our lives so much more comfortable especially having a garden.”
From July 2015: Little boy who wished for death to escape eczema pain sees donations rocket ahead of father's 900 mile cycle
The family of four – completed by mother Dana and father Paul – currently live in a flat in Watermead, Tadworth.
Morgan’s persistent itching and constant discomfort means he struggles to regularly attend classes at Vale Primary School in Beaconsfield Road, Epsom Downs or get outside and play with friends – all the things a regular young boy would do.
His brother Jenson sleeps on a mattress in his parents’ room because he finds it impossible sleep as Morgan is repeatedly woken due to his itching.
Morgan’s mother Dana had to give up her job as a family support worker to look after him full-time. Last year she told the Epsom Guardian that getting their own home “wouldn’t be like waving a wand and curing him, but it would be really life-changing”.
From June 2016: Family of Tadworth boy with severe skin condition fundraising for 'life-changing' house
Sacha Martin, an estate agent with Sacha & Scott, who helped the Bishop family reach their target said she was delighted about the move.
“I’m over the moon,” she told the Epsom Guardian.
“Lots of people have come forward and donated and raised money and everything
“It’s just a fantastic community effort.”
Ms Martin said there had been a few glitches along the way, including a number of failed offers on houses, but the community effort was all worth it.
She added: “It was all about them getting a garden and their own bedrooms. They will have space from each other.
“I think it will make a massive difference for their lives.”
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