Fundraising News
Amputee Colchester dad taking on Cader Idris hike for daughter with cerebral palsy
08 Sep 2025
A group of eleven Colchester dads of children with special needs are taking on a Cader Idris hike this month to raise funds for the daughter of one of their members.
Support Group rallying together to fundraise for children with special needs
NEDS (North Essex Dads of SEN Children) are a group of fathers who all have children with varying special needs. Each year they take on a charity event to raise funds either for one of their members’ children or for a charity working in a related area.
Fundraising for Bonnie Wiseman
This year’s hike is to raise funds for Bonnie Wiseman, 7, who suffered complications at birth and has been diagnosed with severe brain damage, dysphagia (inability to swallow), quad dystonic cerebral palsy and epilepsy. She is a full-time wheelchair user and PEG-fed, and frequent chest infections mean she often ends up in hospital.
Bonnie loves to be read to (especially the ‘That’s Not My….’ series of books and enjoys going out on family walks in her Huckleberry Hiking Cart.
Dad Dave Wiseman, 48, a barista and chef who lives in Feering said: ‘Our primary aim in fundraising is for specialised physiotherapy for Bonnie which makes a huge difference to her range of movement but costs £118 per hour.
‘Bonnie is now 7 years old and to ensure that she has the best opportunities for the future, the more experiences, and therapies we can give her during these early years of development, we hope, will help her as she continues to grow.
‘Given that Bonnie’s development remains uncertain, so too does our understanding of what additional equipment she may need as she grows. This all comes at a considerable cost which led us to starting this campaign.'
‘As Bonnie’s parents we really want to ensure Bonnie has the best opportunities in life so we are seeking to raise money with Tree of Hope to assist with the costs of the additional therapies and equipment that she may need now and in the future.’
Bonnie's Dad
A Hike with a purpose: Fundraising for Therapies
‘We are looking forward to climbing Cadair Idris which has an elevation of 893 metres. We’ll have a few beers and a BBQ but it’s all the more enjoyable for knowing we are doing it for a good cause. I don’t find any limits taking on a challenge like this as an amputee.’
‘NEDS is a great group – our children all have different issues but in many ways we all go through similar things so it’s fantastic to have that support – both practically and mentally We are hoping to raise around £1300 for Bonnie through the event and as ever I am grateful for their support.’
Tree of Hope Supporting with Fundraising
The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope, which helps families raise money for children and young people like Bonnie for medical treatments and healthcare services not freely available to them through the NHS and social care. The charity provides fundraising guidance, campaign development, financial management, charity registration and emotional support from the Family Support team. Families like Bonnie’s benefit from having the support, tools and resources to fundraise effectively as well as access to gift aid, corporate support while also providing donor reassurance.
‘We wish Bonnie and her family all the best with their fundraising activities and best of luck to Dave and his friends with their challenge! We are pleased to give them support in reaching their fundraising goals.’
CEO
Support Bonnie's Campaign and the fundraising challenge
To donate to Bonnie’s fund or sponsor Dave and the NEDS dads, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/get-involved/childrens-campaigns/team-bonnie/
https://www.justgiving.com/page/neds-cader-idris-trip
NEDS has 140 members on Facebook. To ask to join, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1040787683068846/
