£25,000 raised for Southend's Jude Hargrave in two months

Friends and loved ones of Jude Hargrave have rallied behind him following a shock diagnosis of transverse myelitis – an inflammation of the spinal cord.

The 15-year-old keen footballer from Southend suddenly lost the movement in his legs and fingers in June, and was rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital, but was sadly told he may never walk again.

Now, two months on, The GoFundMe page to help Jude’s family adjust as much as possible has eclipsed its £25,000 target and has raised more than £26,700.

Hannah Hargrave, Jude’s mum, said the support has been fantastic, and the extra money will go into adapting their home for him to live in.

She said: “It has been really, really amazing to get that and hit the target, but we’re still hoping to raise more.

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“We’re hoping to get funding for the property but that won’t happen for about a year. We’re going to have to fund other changes ourselves.

“We only have an upstairs bathroom and it is too small for wheelchair access, so we need to build a wet room.”

Jude recently received his GCSE results, which Ms Hargrave said were positive and that he “got what he needed”, but further education plans will be on hold until Jude’s medical and living situation is clearer.

Jude initially made some progress with him “slightly moving his big toe” at the beginning of August.

However, progress has had to take a back seat recently as Jude has been fighting sepsis.

Ms Hargrave said: “He’s been quite unwell the last week or so, he had an infection and had sepsis, so he’s been a little bit poorly but he’s going to have some treatment in a week or so.

“He’s still trying, but has been poorly, it’s taking him a while to get back to normal.”

People have been donating hundreds of pounds to Jude’s cause, including one anonymous donation of £750 last week.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/fcb9sj-judes-journey.