Fundraiser to support Colchester boy with spinal muscular atrophy

Luca Muresan, who was born in November last year, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at three months old.

The serious condition causes babies and infants to have weak limbs and swallowing problems.

Luca’s parents Robert and Madalina Muresan have found themselves scraping together the funds to pay for the specialist treatment for their son.

Yasmine Clarke is determined to help one of her colleagues at the tattoo parlour she runs

In response they have set up a Go Fund Me page to help pay for equipment and physiotherapy sessions which are not funded as part of the NHS.

So far nearly £20,000 has been raised.

On the page Madalina said: “Since that day our life is different, there is a deep wound in our hearts that will never heal completely, but we have to keep going and help Luca having a comfortable and happy life.

“Luca will always have SMA, but the treatments can stop the progression of his condition and help him get stronger overtime with a lot of hard work.”

Dad Robert works at Monumental Ink tattoo parlour in Stanway and his colleagues have stepped up to support the family.

Yasmine Clarke, 38, who owns the firm will take on a three peaks challenge to help raise additional funds.

She will climb Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Mount Snowdon in the space of three days to help raise money for Luca’s treatment.

Mrs Clarke said she felt a duty to help out one of her colleagues who was struggling with a life-changing event.

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She said: “The people who work with us our like family – Rob had to say he couldn’t go into work because he had to go in and out of hospital, and neither Rob nor Madalina have any family over here or know anyone who could help.

“I wanted to do something, and I thought I would help them as much as possible as well as do something challenging.

“I exercise regularly, but I am an absolute hiking novice – 100 per cent.”

Joined by a close friend, Mrs Clarke will begin her ascent of Ben Nevis next Friday, before working her way up Scafell Pike on Saturday and Mount Snowdon on Sunday.

Though a challenge, Mrs Clarke said the thought of helping her colleague’s family will get her through.

She added: “Luca might never be able to walk, but we’re hoping to get gene therapy for him in the next couple of weeks.”

Donations can be made via www.gofundme.com/f/help-luca-sma-type-1