St Albans pub raises money to buy wheelchair for disabled man

Danny King Gordon and his new wheelchair. (Image: Archant)

Dave and Caroline Beale, of the Garibaldi Pub in Albert Street, held events in the pub to pay for a new powered wheelchair for Danny King Gordon, 27.

Danny has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and needs a wheelchair at all times.

His old wheelchair was worn and had become too small for him, affecting his seating position and back support and causing him to have severe pain in his back. The suspension was also broken, which meant Danny suffered from spinal pain whenever he rode over bumps or kerbs.

The Beales’ son, Michael, also ran the London Marathon to raise £3,000 for Danny, even though he had never run a marathon before.

The family has been raising money for Danny since early this year, and held a pie and mash evening with an auction at the pub in April, to raise more funds and celebrate Michael’s success at the marathon.

Caroline said: “We did a charity quiz and we had sports memorabilia which we auctioned in the pub - really it’s just been the generosity of our customers.

“We had a really generous donation. We were on £6,500 and one person made up the difference.”

The wheelchair has now been bought and was delivered to Danny, who lives in St Albans. Following on from their success, Caroline said the pub will not stop raising money for Danny and his family.

“His mum’s not in great health either,” she said. “They have never been away separately and we are trying to get Danny on holiday where he’s got proper facilities so his mum and dad can have a break.

“He’s coming down to the pub on Sunday lunch and to show everyone his new wheelchair. He’s thrilled.”

The wheelchair cost £13,000, with Danny raising some of the money himself and the remainder provided by a government grant. The Beales also held a music festival in the pub on a Saturday, with 13 bands playing, which raised £600.

Caroline said: “We are just going to carry on for him - it’ll make a difference to his life.”