'Superstar' Liversedge boy raises £11k for charity

Zach Eagling, nine, successfully completed 130 laps of his garden as part of a 2.6km Challenge, a nationwide fundraising event held this year in place of the London Marathon, beginning on May 10 and finished last Tuesday, his ninth birthday.

Zach, who started the challenge on May 10 and finished on June 16 (his birthday), was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was three, and his condition means he has difficulties with mobility and cognitive development.

His mum Claire Keer, 38, said: “We’re all so proud of Zach.

“The amount of money he’s raised has gone above and beyond what we ever thought possible.

“When Zach first began his challenge, we set the target at around £260 as we knew many people were struggling financially, but he surpassed that in a matter of hours, but the donations continued to roll in, and the total is now at £11,253.

“The response has been absolutely incredible.”

Since his diagnosis, specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have helped him and his family access specialist therapies and support he requires.

He has only recently started walking independently without the use of his frame.

Legal expert Rachelle Mahapatra said: “Zach is a little superstar.

“He’s shown determination to complete this challenge, even though walking can be a struggle for him.

“Zach is a great inspiration of how disability shouldn’t be a barrier to people achieving their goals.”

Zach was inspired by Captain Tom Moore who raised more than £33 million for the NHS by walking laps of his garden.