Mobility equipment supplier Recare is set to help Luke Mortimer, 9 from Yorkshire, to raise donations for new bionic arms, as he descends into the UK’s largest cave, Gaping Gill, in the Yorkshire Dales from 8-10 July 2022. Sponsors have the opportunity to join Luke and his family on their journey.

Guests signing up for this ‘once in a lifetime’ caving experience will be funding the purchasing of new arms to support Luke as he grows and develops.

Luke contracted a rare form of Meningitis in 2019, which led to sepsis and amputation of his arms and legs. He underwent 23 operations over a period of 10 weeks at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, which included multiple skin grafts.

Through Luke’s his determined attitude, he has pulled through this ordeal and is now focused on the future both at school and home.

Previous donations have helped the family move into an accessible bungalow and purchase specialist equipment including a state-of-the-art all-terrain Trekinetic wheelchair from Recare, nevertheless, Luke’s family want his capabilities and independence to go further hence are seeking donations towards new power-assisted prosthetic arms.

Richard Holland-Oakes, Recare co-founder, says: “We wish Luke and his family the best of luck with their Gaping Gill fundraiser.

“The Trekinetic wheelchair we supplied has made a huge difference to him, however to see Luke with bionic arms would be something else.

“We will be providing social media and marketing support free of charge to help raise awareness of Luke’s event and beyond. I would encourage everyone to donate as much as they can especially as he’ll need several new arms as he grows up, each costing around £13,000 each.”

The Gaping Gill event will include a “helicopter ride deep into the Yorkshire Dales, followed by an offroad Land Rover adventure to reach the mouth of the cave, a 322ft abseil through a cascading waterfall, taking them down into the depths of the world famous Gaping Gill.

Luke and his family will be taking part in the abseil too. Accommodation and a black-tie dinner will also feature in the incredible full-weekend line up at the Devonshire Arms Hotel & Spa. Tickets for the black-tie fundraiser can be purchased separately for those afraid of heights.”

The black tie-dinner will be on the prestigious Bolton Abbey Estate and hosted by TV’s Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadtrips presenter Phil Serrell. The complete three-day event is part of a wider campaign to raise funds which will be supported by Recare through social media and PR.

Richard concludes: “Here at Recare we are always 100% committed to meeting individual needs and maximising outcomes. As a family-run business we really do understand and care for our clients. This is why we are supporting Luke and wish everyone involved with his fundraiser the best of luck. I’m sure Luke’s will have the biggest smile on his face when he enters Gaping Gill for the first time!”

To register your interest in the Gaping Gill experience please contact: paul@climbdartmoor.co.uk

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