Frankie Watson

$20,000 donated

Given by 219 generous donors in 2 years

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Raise funds for the training and upkeep of a special assistance dog to carry Frankie’s oxygen when he’s out and about.

Manawatu / Whanganui

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Frankie was born with a rare condition called children’s interstitial lung disease and needs oxygen 24/7. His is a rare condition and the only known child in New Zealand with ILD

At home, Frankie taps in to a large static oxygen tank. But now that he’s a toddler and on the move, he needs a mobile source of oxygen. But just how does a toddler carry an oxygen tank around all day? That’s where man’s best friend is Frankie’s best friend - a service dog will carry Frankie’s life connection on his back.

This very special service dog does the heavy lifting for him. But that takes training - $20,000 worth of training and that’s where we need your support.

Thanks to the generosity of Jodie from Kiwi Pride Australian Labradoodles, for donating this dog due to it's low shedding hair, so it can be trained to carry Frankie’s two smaller oxygen cylinders.

The oxygen is super important to Frankie's mobility as he gets older and more energetic. The dog being trained is important in this quest to help Frankie grow up as normal as he can be – running, playing outside, enjoying the life we take for granted.

It will take 18 months and $20,000 to train the dog. Then there will be ongoing costs. But by the time Frankie is three his companion will be fully ready to assist him to live a more active life than he could have initially expected.

We are grateful for any contribution no matter what the amount. Your contribution will help make a real difference to the life of a young boy bringing freedom and joy to Frankie and his family.

Ryan Watson's involvement (page creator)

Parents and extended Family raising funds for the training and upkeep of a special assistance dog to carry Frankie’s oxygen when he’s out and about.

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Raising funds for toddler By Ashleigh Collis 9:48 AM Wednesday Oct 12, 2016 14 October 2016

Tararua Educare Children's Centre recently held a bike-a-thon raising $250 for Frankie Watson, a two-year-old Levin boy suffering from a rare lung disease that means he is connected to an oxygen tank 24/7.

Without cure or treatment for Neuroendocrine Hyperplasia of Infancy (NEHI), Frankie Watson relies on his family to carry his oxygen tank everywhere, limiting the toddler's mobility.

Frankie is the only child in New Zealand who has this condition and little research has been done on the disease. The Watson family needs to raise $20,000 to train an assistance dog that can carry small oxygen cylinders so Frankie can move around more freely.

Half the funds have been raised to date.

Frankie's mum Nadia said the support from Tararua Educare was overwhelming.

"It's lovely to see how wonderful and supportive a community can be."

At Tararua Educare, where one of Frankie's sisters goes, team leader Kimberley Frecklington said supporting families, was part of the character of the centre.

"If we can do something to help out a family in need then we go for it," she said.

Frankie's assistance puppy, Mali, is currently being trained by Assistance Dog New Zealand. Mali is a Kiwi Pride Australian Labradoodle, a purpose-bred dog that is allergy-friendly. His specialised training will involve small tethered weights that will be slowly increased, preparing him for carrying Frankie's oxygen bottles - cylinders each weighing just over two kilos.

"We are taking a chance on the unknown but we have faith that Mali will complete his training and be awarded public access to help Frankie's mobility," said Mrs Watson.

- Horowhenua Chronicle

By Ashleigh Collis

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