Campaign to save young islander's leg

A boy from Guernsey says he one day hopes to repay islanders for helping save his leg.

Ten-year-old Anthony McMahon is due to fly to America for life changing surgery in April on his left leg that it's hoped will save it from amputation.

Anthony was born with abnormal hip joints and short legs. In 2008 surgeons lengthened his right leg but the health department refused to pay for a similar operation on his left leg.

His parents, Ian McMahon and Kerry Croxton, started a fundraising campaign six months ago to raise £120,000 and have so far raised £90,000.

People from all over the world have donated to Anthony's cause.

Anthony will need a second operation and the family continue to fund-raise for this.

But today they wanted to say thank you to everyone who has supported them in getting this far.

To visit Anthony's fundraising page click here.

You may have seen an unusual sight of hoards of Santas running through St Peter Port this morning.

It was part of the annual Santa Fun Run that raises money for charity.

This year funds are going towards helping 10-year-old Anthony McMahon get an operation to save his leg.

Guernsey's Santa Fun Run takes place today and will be raising money to save one young islander's leg.

Ten-year-old Anthony McMahon needs an operation on his left leg or it could be amputated; the health department won't fund the procedure.

Anthony is a keen footballer and the star goalkeeper for Notre Dame du Rosaire School's football team.

Pupils and teachers from the school will be taking part in the run, along with Anthony's friends and supporters.

This year’s Santa fun run starts at 11:30am from Pembroke Car park.

You can visit Anthony's fundraising page here.

Around 200 people are expected to take part in a fundraising event today, to help pay for a vital operation to save a ten-year-old boy's leg.

Anthony McMahon, from Guernsey, needs the surgery to avoid having his leg amputated.

Guernsey's health department are refusing to fund the procedure.

25 teams have signed up to play in a 24-hour football marathon at Les Ormes Soccer Dome this afternoon.

So far, more than £25,000 has been donated to Anthony's JustGiving Page.

The surgery would cost around £120,000.

The event starts at midday today.

For more information, click here.

20 teams have signed up for a 12 hour six-a-side football marathon that is happening in Jersey to raise money for Anthony McMahon.

The ten-year-old needs an operation to save his leg, but it will cost £120,000.

36 teams are needed in total for the event.

Guernsey's health department, who have paid for a previous operation, will not pay for this one.

Seven years ago Anthony was the first person ever within the UK to undergo Super Hip and Super Knee reconstructive surgery correcting deformity of his right leg.

Now he needs his left hip reconstructing.

If it is not done, he could lose his leg.

The football challenge is aiming to fund the surgery for Anthony, who has a great passion for playing football.

You can visit his fundraising page here.

An 11-year-old boy in Guernsey has handed a petition to the States in support of a life-changing operation for his friend.

Anthony McMahon was born with abnormal hip joints and short legs and his family say he needs an operation to lengthen his left leg.

Niall Hainsworth said he was inspired after seeing Anthony’s plight on Channel Television.

He obtained 200 signatures from his school friends at St Sampson's High and Guernsey Football Club.

He told Health Minister, Deputy Paul Luxton, the petition was the voice of the young people.

The Health Department funded an operation to reconstruct Anthony’s right leg six years ago, but are refusing to pay for the same surgery on his left leg, saying it is not the best treatment for him.