Orchid IT set to boost Lewis Mighty fund - 14/5/2010

Pictured left to right: Garry Allen, account manager at Orchid, Jaime Mighty, Sarah Fullaway from Oodles and Brett Critchley, managing director at Orchid.

Orchid IT, the Midlands’ leading supplier of IT support and services, has announced that it has adopted the Lewis Mighty Fund as its fundraising appeal for the next 12 months

Pride Park-based Orchid will be hosting a number of events over the coming months to raise awareness and much needed funds for the appeal, which is trying to raise £300,000 to send Lewis to the US for life-saving medical treatment.

5 year-old Lewis, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma, a very rare form of cancer, which mainly targets children under five. Neuroblastoma has only a 20% chance of being cured in Europe, making it one of the most deadly of child cancers.

As the treatment is not available in Europe, Lewis’s best chance of survival is to visit the Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Clinic in New York City, which will cost 350,000 USD.

Since the fund was launched in June 2009, it has already raised more than £155,000.

Garry Allen, account manager at Orchid, brought the appeal to the attention of James:

“As I used to work with Perry, Lewis’s Dad, and also now have a young child of my own, the appeal for Lewis really did hit a chord with me when I watched ‘The Secret Millionaire’. Of course, James and Brett both agreed immediately to fundraise as the company has a strong history of helping local charities, especially when it comes to children.”

Financial director, James Twigg, said:

“We hope that affiliated businesses will donate whatever they can to help Lewis.

“Orchid will be holding a variety of activities throughout the coming months and are working in conjunction with Oodles, an ethical life insurance provider, for other joint ventures.”

Jaime Mighty, Lewis’ mum, said:

“We are delighted to have Orchid’s support for the fund and hope that such a high profile and well-known business as Orchid will help propel the campaign to another level."