Danceathon raises funds for ill child

The two-hour event, organised annually by Ruislip's theatrical agency for children - Sole File - at Whiteheath Junior School in Ruislip raised the cash for Matthew Goode, of Balmoral Road.

Children aged eight to 15 took to the dance floor in a non-stop fundraising effort.

Matthew has suffered a series of infant illnesses that still baffle medical experts. He has been diagnosed as blind, and spent the first week of his life in a coma.

As a result, the determined toddler cannot speak, or eat orally, and has little sense of balance.

Matthew's mother, Mrs Katriona Goode, a radio producer for the BBC's education department, was delighted when Sole File's Mr Chris Manoe approached her with the offer of donating the proceeds of this year's event to her son's cause.

Mrs Goode explained how she and her husband, Paul, who has given up work to become a full-time carer for their son, need to raise money to move to a house better equipped for Matthew's disability.

She said: 'As a family, we do not want our lives to be governed by this disability.

'We currently live in a semi-detached Victorian house, which involves carrying Matthew and his equipment up and down the stairs.

'We would like to move to an open-plan house where Matthew can have his own bedroom and bathroom downstairs.'

Although Matthew is blind, he does have some crude vision, which his parents want to encourage him to use.

Nearly £1,000 was raised on Saturday. The money will go towards buying Matthew multi-sensory equipment, such as bubble tubes and optic fibres, which will enable him to experiment with various senses and play safely.

Saturday's event gave the family an emotional boost. Mrs Goode said: 'As a result of the illness, Matthew has lost fundamental playing skills, which many other children take for granted.

'The multi-sensory equipment will enable Paul and I to play with our son, and will allow him to play independently in a safe environment.'