A BORDERS couple hoping to take their three-year-old son to the USA for specialist treatment have smashed their £20,000 fundraising target – which means they can now afford additional therapy.

The fundraising campaign recently launched by Charlie Ramage’s family touched the hearts of two Peebles businesses, who have added more than £8,000 to the pot.

Staff at Evolution Bottling and Packaging Solutions, based in Cavalry Park, climbed Ben Lomond last month to raise funds for Charlie’s therapy.

Not only did the 14 members of staff complete the trek, they more than doubled their fundraising target and raised £6,560.

Meanwhile, Kerrie Guiney, along with employees from her team at The Perfect Fit and The Perfect Style, raised £1,500 after a 20-mile sponsored walk.

Young Charlie, from Peebles, has hypotonia (also known as “floppy baby syndrome”) and dystonia (which causes painful muscle spasms). These muscle disorders have left Charlie unable to sit, walk or talk. 

Supported by the Just4Children charity, his parents, Nikki and Richard, hope to pay for treatment at the NAPA Centre in Los Angeles, which would provide Charlie with up to four weeks of physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

Evolution team member Rachel Finney, a friend of the Ramage family, said: “When the rest of the Evolution Team heard me talk of Charlie’s family’s fundraising campaign they were quick to decide to undertake a challenge to help. 

“Charlie has inspired us to get fitter and get behind his cause.”

The more funds secured, the more therapy Charlie will be able to have – and because of the overwhelming support through fundraising, the overall total is now £28,025.

The Peeblesshire News contacted Charlie’s mum, Nikki, who said she was overwhelmed by the support her family have received. She added that due to the cash windfall, the target has been doubled to £40,000.

“We’re really grateful to all at Evolution and The Perfect Fit for their support and fundraising for Charlie.

"Because of their efforts, we have smashed our original target and this means we can hopefully aim to go more than once due to the generosity of everyone.

“As a family we feel very emotional and thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for their help.”