Michael is making strides for his uncle
8:10am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in Latest News
A SCHOOLBOY is gearing up to walk across Swindon in a bid to raise funds in honour of his uncle.
Michael Croke, 10, will step out in his trainers on September 29 as a way of saying thank you to a mental health facility in Salisbury, which has helped his uncle, David Croke, for the last few years.
The Moredon Primary School pupil, who came up with the idea himself, will walk five miles from Akers Way to Coate Water in the company of his parents.
His mother, Sacha, of Moredon , said: “Michael’s uncle has attended Herbert House for a while and he is doing it as a thank you for looking after him.
“He is very keen and can’t wait to do it – he wants to do it alone.
“My husband has planned the route, we think it will take a few hours. Michael has been doing some training. He has looked up all about healthy eating to train and get himself ready.”
Herbert House is a registered residential care home for people aged between 18 and 65 with mental health needs.
The house, which supports 15 residents, is a short stay service with residents normally staying between 18 months and two years.
It aims to provide an environment and culture that offers residents who have mental health needs an opportunity to maintain good mental health and wellbeing to further develop skills to achieve a meaningful lifestyle.
Michael’s uncle, David, 30, who used to live in Swindon, has just left Herbert House after a couple of years there and is now living in Salisbury.
Sacha, 30, who works at Moredon Primary School at the breakfast club, after school club and as a dinnerlady, said the whole family has seen a change in David since he has been going to Herbert House.
“He has just moved out and got his own place but he still attends very often,” she said.
“They have brought him out of himself.
“They have changed his life for the better, they have done a brilliant job.
“Mentally he is brilliant in his mind now. He is ready to live on his own.”
To sponsor Michael email sachac123@sky.com or phone Adver reporter Emma Dunn on 01793 501797.
