Marshall celebrated his first birthday on 22 December 2008. On Boxing Day, Marshall was rushed into hospital following an attack of Meningococcal Meningitis. Meningitis is a brutal and unforgiving disease. While Marshall has escaped brain damage he has had to have both his hands and both his legs amputated.
Marshall now faces a lifetime of rehabilitation while adapting to the use of prosthetic limbs. Because he is so young Marshall will continually require new prosthetic limbs as he grows. To put this in perspective, Marshall will require at least one pair of hands, at least once a year, every year until he is 18. Marshall's first legs will cost £9,727 EACH and his first hands will cost £14,172 EACH. As Marshall grows, and as the functionality required from his prosthetic limbs increases, so too will the costs. Those costs will be £850,000-£950,000.
Obviously, the cost of providing Marshall with a decent quality of life is quite breathtaking - and considerably beyond the resources of Marshall’s family or, indeed, most families. It is because of the huge cost involved that the family have launched HANDSTAND -The Appeal for Marshall Janson.
An Organising Committee has been established and all sorts of fundraising activities have taken place and are being planned. The Rt Hon Charles Kennedy MP and Brian McBride, Chief Executive of Amazon (UK), have very kindly agreed to act as Patrons to the Appeal. It is hoped that having the endorsement of two such distinguished gentlemen will substantially help raise the profile of the Appeal.
A Trust Fund has been established for Marshall, with its own dedicated Bank Account. Contributions can be made at any branch of Lloyds TSB. Account Number 01782765 Sort Code 30 97 00. Alternatively, cheques made payable to HANDSTAND can be sent to: HANDSTAND, PO Box 15, St Columb TR9 6WE.
The HANDSTAND Appeal has also received the endorsement of Phil Vickery, the Wasps, England and British Lions prop forward. The former England captain said, "As a Dad, Meningitis is every parent's worst nightmare. I hope the HANDSTAND Appeal generates lots of support and raises much needed funds to help baby Marshall in his life".
Cornwall's West Briton Newspaper helped to launch HANDSTAND and agreed to act as a partner in the Appeal. Suzie Smith from the West Briton commented, “What has happened to Marshall is so tragic that we felt compelled to have the West Briton get behind the HANDSTAND Appeal. We urge our readers to contribute in any way that they can.”
LATEST NEWS : Martin Clunes supports the HANDSTAND Appeal
Martin Clunes is urging schools across Cornwall to take part in Colour My Friday - a unique and fun non-uniform day to raise money for The HANDSTAND Appeal and Meningitis UK, and to raise awareness about the dangers of meningitis. Read all about Martin's visit to Bosvigo School.
To see more photos of our day with Martin Clunes please view our photo gallery.
