JBDS had a successful coffee and cake charity event last month at our Enfield HQ with staff baking a various assortment of goodies from Jamaican Rum Cake to Salt Fish Fritters!

This was all in aid of a very good cause. ‘Lenny’s Leap of Faith’ is a fundraising campaign for Lenny Baker, the cousin of Amy Baker who works in the Accounts Department at J Browne’s Head Office.

Lenny suffers from Cerebral Palsy. This is a neurological condition that affects movement and co-ordination. In Lenny’s case, it causes muscle stiffness known as spasticity. Spasticity causes hip displacement, knee, ankle and foot deformation, the spine curves and arthritis develops in joints. This is an incredibly painful condition and makes walking unaided impossible.

A cheeky 5-year-old, Lenny walks with the aid of a walking frame. Also to help his tight leg muscles relax enough to let him walk, he has a programme of Botox treatment at Great Ormond Street hospital which lasts between 4 to 6 months.

Lenny’s only option to improve his condition permanently is to pay for an SDR operation as the NHS has stopped funding in this area. The operation itself costs £27,000 with a further £13,000 for a year of intensive physio therapy that Lenny will require after the operation.

Thanks to the generosity of friends, family and fundraisers, Lenny has reached the half way point on his target.

J Browne’s staff raised a grand total of £1200 for Lenny’s cause with the Company matching what was made on the day.

Amy was very thankful, ‘it’s been a successful day for such a great cause. Lenny will be so pleased with the support he has received and I know his parents are very grateful. I would like to thank everyone that took part.’

Staff that took part were having a quiet afternoon after consuming so many calories!!