A Huge Thank You To Gordon

Nov 4 2009 The Journal

IN the October edition of Golf North East, we reported on little Robbie Jones who is now recovering from a near fatal disease and although the years ahead are going to be difficult, Ramside's Gordon Dance is Robbie's 'Knight in Shining Armour'. Robbie's mum Jill, from Bowburn in County Durham, told Golf North East:

"Robbie fell ill with meningitis last year and as a result he lost both his legs to Meningococcal Septicaemia. Gordon, who has known my mum and dad for years and is a good friend of the family, organised a big fund raising event here at Ramside and managed to raise over £16,000."

Robbie has now been fitted with his first set of limbs and has started intensive physio but Jill accepts that life is not going to be easy, she added: "I think our expectations were too high, he has only just turned three and to expect him to just get up and walk normally was not realistic. Because his right leg had to be amputated above the knee, he really struggles with that but he is just a typical three year old little boy - just fabulous."

Depending how quickly Robbie grows and how much weight he puts on determines on when his artificial legs have to be replaced. The cost is astronomical and the family are more than grateful for Gordon's efforts, along with the generosity of North East golfers, clubs, businesses, and well-wishers from across the region, who have staged events to fund Robbie's treatment.

The fund has now topped £100,000 thanks to a huge outpouring of public support.

Robbie's dad Wayne said: "It has been a tough 12 months and I couldn't wish it on anyone. It is like having a new born baby but we have a lot of help and we try to do the best of everything for him."

Wayne and Jill are now married and the icing on the cake was little Robbie managing to walk down the aisle, albeit with the help of a frame to witness the ceremony.

Wayne added: "It was very emotional; there were a lot of people there, photographers, the press, but it was a brilliant day, something that neither of us will ever forget."

As for Gordon, he has first-hand experience of a near fatality in the family. His son Steven, a very talented young golfer was involved in a serious crash 16 months ago and is lucky to be alive today.

Steven has now recovered although he now has a steel plate fitted to his pelvis and wires attaching ligaments to his right knee.

Gordon, who has been instrumental in setting up the Ramside charity events said: "When this happened to Robbie, it pulled a few strings in my heart and I decided to put a golf day on for them. We managed to raise a substantial sum and hopefully this year we can match that.

"We have 42 teams here today, a full field. Over the years I have become friends with a lot of people and they have come from clubs all over the region. In addition, the members here at Ramside have been very supportive and have donated a lot of the prizes. We have dozens of bottles of spirits for the tombola and other prizes include microwaves, kettles, a Nintendo Wii and holidays to Cyprus."

Gordon concluded: "When Robbie developed meningitis he didn't have much of a chance, so to be honest this has been a bit of a miracle - he is now a very chirpy little man."

For further information on Robbie or to make a donation, visit his web site www.robbie-jones.co.uk

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