Wishaw Press journalist and cousin to bungee jump for Shotts youngster

Jan 25 2010

Dean Cochrane

WISHAW Press journalist Richard Mooney will be performing a bungee jump with his cousin Keith O’Hanlon in a bid to raise funds for eight-year-old Dean Cochrane – a sufferer of quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

The Shotts youngster was born with the condition and is confined to a wheelchair. He has no control over his legs or right arm, but thanks to life-changing physiotherapy at Therapies4kids in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2007 his left arm was released.

His parents, Tommy and Maureen, are now hoping to raise £15,000 to take their son over for a second month-long session at Therapies4kids and believe it will be of great benefit to the young Dean – known as Mr Giggles because he won’t stop laughing.

Richard (23) along with his cousin Keith (16) will leap from a 170ft platform on Sunday 21st February at Xscape, Braehead.

The duo have set an initial target of around £150 ($250) at their Give Forward site, but are hoping they can raise as much as possible for Dean's cause.

Keith, a Bellshill Academy pupil said: “It’s such a great cause. Richard came to me with the idea and we both knew instantly that we had to do this.”

Richard explained that he was originally doing the bungee jump with his cousin, but when he was passed Dean’s story (featured in this week’s upcoming issue of the Wishaw Press) he thought he could help out the youngster’s cause.

He said: “I was so moved by Dean’s story that I felt I had to do something. So it made sense to tie this in with our bungee jump. I hope people donate and that we can raise as much money as possible.”

To sponsor Richard and Keith’s bungee jump visit online at www.giveforward.org/mrgiggles

For more information on Dean Cochrane visit www.mr-giggles.com