Fundraising News
Help Swansea three-year-old achieve his dream of walking
20 Oct 2026
Three-year-old Teddy Gorman is unable to stand unaided or walk a single step.
However Teddy, who has severe hypotonia (low muscle tone), hypermobile joints and is non-verbal, recently had a trial session with a Trexo robotic skeleton, during which he was able to walk 1,000 steps.
His family now wants to raise £50,000 so that Teddy is able to walk for himself.
Mum Sapphire, 35, who lives in Winch Wen with her electrician husband Ross, 38, three older children and Teddy said:
‘I first started becoming concerned about Teddy’s movement around the time of his first birthday. He wasn’t sitting up, and even if you put him in a sitting position he’d just collapse. I spoke to the health visitor who agreed something wasn’t right and he was referred to paediatrics.
‘He had an MRI of his brain which found no issues, and Ross and I had genetic tests which also found nothing significant. So we don’t really know the cause.
"Teddy has physio every two weeks and we are trying to build up his strength as much as possible. But the Trexo was like nothing else. He loved every minute of it! And seeing Teddy ‘walk’ was very emotional for me and his dad too – we were both quite tearful"
Teddy's mum
‘The Trexo doesn’t simply ‘drive’ him around – it detects any movement from him and basically amplifies it. During his 17 minute session he walked 1000 steps and 46% of that effort came from him. So I’m also convinced that as well as allowing him more movement, this device could also help him build up his strength.
"‘As a parent, it is very frustrating knowing that all that stands in front of my child’s ability to walk is £46,000. So we are now desperate the raise these funds to allow Teddy the movement he craves."
Teddy's mum
Bar 141 in Llansamlet is holding a quiz night on December 2, with entry costing £2. And on December 12 there will be a half time bucket collection at Carmarthen Quin’s Rugby Club.
Sapphire added: ‘We are so grateful for every penny received which all goes towards this buying Teddy this potentially life-changing piece of equipment.’
The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope, which helps families raise money for children and young people like Teddy 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 Teddy’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 Teddy and his family all the best with their fundraising activities. We are pleased to give them support in reaching their fundraising goals."
CEO
To donate to Teddy’s fund or to find out more visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/get-involved/childrens-campaigns/help-teddy-take-his-next-steps
