Host of events to raise cash for Kayden's Wish to Walk appeal
A BUMPER weekend of fundraising events is to be held in aid of the Kayden’s Wish to Walk appeal.
Little Kayden Gordon, from Thurso, has had a long-held dream to walk after being diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy when he was just 15 months old.
The three-year-old struggles to straighten his legs because the condition makes his leg muscles so tight. That means it is difficult for him to do simple things like sitting on the floor with his legs out in front of him, standing or walking on his own.
Kayden’s parents, Sarah Gordon and Alan Malcolm, are trying to raise £80,000 to pay for treatment which could help Kayden walk.
Tonight, Saturday and Sunday they have a range of events planned to raise more money towards the cause.

A coffee morning at the Thurso Royal British Legion Scotland will be the first, running from 10am to noon on Friday (Aug 14)with a special appearance from Mina’s Highland dancers.
Tonight in Thurso Royal British Legion Scotland an evening of bingo will be held with doors opening at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start.
Saturday will see the CD 12/2/12 charity car wash back in aid of the appeal. Kayden’s family are appealing for plenty of people to turn out and get whatever kind of vehicle they have washed. Refreshments will be available at the Oldwick Garage in Roxburgh Road, Wick, from 9am to 5pm.
Finally, on Sunday a Live Jive will be held in Thurso’s Park Hotel. The Barracuda Boogie band will present the Live & Kicking Summer Jam and special guest artists will also perform. A free modern jive lesson will be held at 1pm with Steve Hicks and live music from 2pm to 5pm.
Kayden’s family are hoping the £80,000 fundraising target will pay for an operation called selective dorsal rhizotomy which could help Kayden to walk. It involves removing vertebrae in his lower back to allow access to the nerve roots which would then have electrical pulses sent through them to find the abnormal roots causing the problem, which would then be cut.
Their fundraising effort has so far raised over £17,000 in only a few months. The family’s JustGiving page is at www.justgiving.com/Kaydenswish2walk and they have a Kayden’s Wish to Walk Facebook page.