Chard man raises money to buy dad a Hero Arm from Open Bionics

Jake Crump, 22, started a fundraiser to buy his dad a Hero Arm from Open Bionics as a way of saying thank you for looking after him throughout his life.

Jake's Dad, Del Crump, lost his arm at work in 1997.

Hi arm was trapped inside an industrial wood burner, which turned on.

The hospital managed to stitch his arm back together but they decided the best thing to do was to amputate.

“As me and my other half are planning to move out soon, I thought it would be a nice way to say thank you for everything dad has done for me," said Jake.

"Since dad's accident, he has managed well and does a fantastic job with just one arm.

"I was never really sporty but I did play cricket and dad would volunteer at the cricket club even though he didn’t really know what he was doing.

"He has done the same for my younger brother – he has become a character for whatever we’ve been involved in, and you can’t put into words the level of support him and mum have given to me and Alfie – even if it’s a terrible idea, they will still support us.

"You can’t put into words how brilliant they have been.

“It means a great deal to be able to do one last thing to thank your parents.

"You don’t necessarily get many opportunities to say thank you.

"But this time I can show dad how grateful I am for everything he’s done for me and my other half - it is a token of appreciation, it is an opportunity to really say thank you.”

So far, Jake's fundraiser has raised nearly £3,200 for the arm.

And Jake has been documenting his progress on social media, including their recent trip to Bristol to try out the arm.

He has also been sharing a 'dad joke' on Tick Tock each day, which he will continue to do until they have raised the money.

As well as the online fundraiser, Jake has held a few raffles - one with a signed photo of Declan Rice - and now he is running one for a squad signed West Ham ladies shirt.

"Fingers crossed we will be able to raise what we need for dads arm at least, but if we raise more then we will give the rest of the money to Open Bionics," Jake added.

"This will go to open bionics to help work they do, supplying children with arms and so on.

"If we were able to pay for someone else as well that would be amazing.

“It has been lovely, I’ve found myself close to tears more times than I expected to, I didn’t expect it to go as well as it did, but the support so far has been fantastic.

"When I take a minute to look back it can choke you up a little bit.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/givedelahand.