Paralympian-turned-comedian hits surgery fundraising goal at local show

SWNS

A Paralympian-turned-comedian who had been fundraising for a life-changing surgery hit his goal at one of his own comedy gigs.  Ricky Balshaw, 38, has cerebral palsy and has been fundraising for a surgery, which will stop him from becoming paralysed.   Ricky surpassed his goal of £15k after a comedy show at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall earlier this month (Feb 2).

Transcript

00:00Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the legend, Ricky Davidshaw!

00:07Ricky doesn't know how to do this and I didn't tell him because if I'd told him he wouldn't have let me do it.

00:12He's currently battling a really rare spinal condition which could result in paralysis if it's left to kind of go on.

00:19It's a degenerative condition. The NHS don't view it as a priority so they can't get him in for a good while.

00:25So he's trying to raise the cash to pay for it privately. He needs to raise £15,000.

00:30I wouldn't ask you guys to do anything that I wouldn't do so I've just put £110 in there.

00:35And he needs £1,300 now to get to the £15,000 target. There's 400 odd of us in here.

00:41It would be absolutely amazing if he could drive home tonight knowing he's got that fucking money and he hasn't got to worry about it anymore.

00:48The tally for Ricky now stands at £15,085.

00:54He's raised it up! Thank you so, so much.

00:59He's driving down to Bob and Regis as we speak so he'll get a really nice surprise when he gets there that he's got the money for his operation.

01:08And he's got £85 left over so he'll get a doggy nose when he gets there as well.

01:14I cannot thank you enough. Without it I was going to be paralysed basically and you guys have made me hit the target.

01:23I'm absolutely made up. I'm going to phone the hospital in the morning. It means the world. Thank you.

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