Published on 2 September 2021
A pint-sized superhero who could not walk a year ago has raised £500 for East Kent Hospitals Charity by completing 56 miles in less than a month.
Little Vincent Simester, three, donned a cape to take part in the Marvel superheroes ‘At Home’ challenge, which invites people with any form of disability to set themselves a challenge.
The pre-schooler, from Teynham, near Faversham, was born prematurely and spent 17 days on the Special Care Baby Unit at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. He has cerebral palsy and periventricular leukomalacia, but mum Lisa said they did not stop him living a normal life.
She said: “Vincent is just Vincent, there is so much more to him than his disabilities.
“He really is a superhero and he loved putting on his cape and walking around the village.“He couldn’t walk in October, but thanks to physio and his hard work he has made huge progress and now he can even jump holding hands.
“The team in the Special Care Baby Unit were absolutely amazing and we wanted to raise money to give something back.
“We donated £100 when Vincent left the unit and always said we would raise more because we will be forever grateful to them for everything they did for us.”
The donation will go to the charity’s Tiny Toes appeal, which supports the unit by providing state-of-the-art additional equipment not available through NHS funding, and helping to improve the environment for patients, parents, staff, and visitors.
It is the latest charity to benefit from Vincent’s fundraising, as he has also raised money for his pre-school, Happy Endings animal rescue charity, Pilgrims Hospices, Demelza Hospice and other good causes.
Lisa said: “Vincent loves taking part in challenges and charity events, and helps pick the winners when we run raffles on his fundraising Facebook page.
“He is just like any other little boy; into everything and always on the go. He does have bad days where he’s a bit more wobbly but he just picks himself up and keeps going.
“I hope we can show other parents whose children have cerebral palsy or other disabilities that it need not stop them achieving anything they want to.”
Dee Neligan, senior charity officer for East Kent Hospitals Charity, said Vincent was an inspiration.
She said: “We were so impressed with what Vincent has achieved and delighted to receive his fantastic donation.
“His determination is inspirational and we’re so pleased he has chosen Tiny Toes to benefit from his superhero challenge.”
For more information on Vincent’s fundraising visit his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Vincents-Fundraising-103656565213054 and for more on the Tiny Toes appeal visit
https://www.ekhcharity.org.uk/about-us/tiny-toes/
