News
Thirteen-year-old artist with autism raising funds for three-year-old with genetic disorder
17 Sep 2025
A Morley 13-year-old is selling hand-drawn cards to help raise funds for a Holmfirth three-year-old with a rare genetic disorder.
James Tortice, 13, who has autism and ADHD, is well-known locally for the fundraising he’s been doing regularly for various charities since he was seven years old.
Oscar Steel, three, was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder type one spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) just ten days after his birth.
He was treated with the £1.8m single dose of gene therapy Zolgensma – the most expensive drug in the world – aged 24 days. Before this drug was made available, children with this disorder typically survived less than two years.
There is still no cure for SMA, but drugs and therapies help manage the condition and improve strength and flexibility. However, most therapies and much of the equipment needed is not available on the NHS, and families have to fundraise to cover what is needed.
James and Oscar appeared together on The One Show’s One Big Thankyou this summer after James held an exhibition at Basement Arts to raise fund both for Oscar and an ADHD charity.
"James has always loved drawing but he’s also always loved the fundraising element of it – I don’t think he’d keep at it if he didn’t have that element too.
For Oscar, the card has a drawing of a lion – it is an animal Oscar likes and we thought it also represented his bravery and strength.
James' mum
Oscar’s mum Kayleigh Steel, 38, a social worker currently on maternity leave said: ‘Oscar is a lovely, smiley and happy little boy despite his devasting condition and tough start to life. He has a feeding tube and various other equipment to support his breathing and lung function. He is a wheelchair user though he can stand with a frame. Physio is extremely important for him to help gain as much independence of movement as possible and eventually as he gets bigger we will have to fund significant house adaptations.’
‘As Oscar’s parents we’re determined to give him the best quality of life possible. He is a joy to be around, he loves cars, singing, playing with his sister Edie, and Paw Patrol.’
"We are always fundraising for Oscar as there is always physio or new equipment to pay for, so every penny counts. We are always extremely grateful when others help with this and would like to thank James for his continued support.’
Oscar's Mum
Oscar’s family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope, which helps families raise money for children and young people like Oscar 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 Oscar’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 Oscar and his family all the best with their fundraising activities and best of luck to James with his card sales! We are pleased to give them support in reaching their fundraising goals."
CEO
To donate to Oscar’s fund or learn more about him, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/get-involved/childrens-campaigns/support-oscar-the-brave-to-live-his-best-life-raising-funds-and-awareness-of-sma-type-1/
To buy a card, get in touch with James via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lion-cards2025
Or find out more about James and his art here
