Published: Tuesday, 27th May, 2008 12:30
I'll 'net' stop helping Jessica
By Roisin McGroarty
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SUPPORT: Paul and Rachel
HUNDREDS of South Ayrshire residents have spent hours organising and fundraising for the Jessica Appeal - but one man has gone a step further.
Paul Heron, 29, knew nothing of the little girl’s plight until four months ago.
Since then he has been spearheading the fundraising campaign along with Jessica’s mum Rachel, 26.
Professional website designer Paul has dedicated hundreds of hours creating and putting into motion several fundraising ideas. We also revealed last week how he was one of four, including Rachel, who had a miraculous escape from a car crash on the way to skydive for the Jessica Appeal - which has raised more than £80,000. Thankfully everyone involved is recovering after the scare.
And although he suffered serious whiplash he has vowed to complete the jump on behalf of Jessica.
He spoke about learning of the appeal: “The appeal already had a website so I just emailed to see if I could offer a professional site to make people aware of what was happening and created the online payment for people - raised about £2,500 through that and is is from all over the country including England. The website’s been viewed by 4,000 or 5,000 people.
“I just wanted to help more and gave some fundraising ideas.”
In fact Paul has come up with several fundraising ideas, including the wrist bands embossed with Jessica’s Journey and Sunday’s fun day at Eglington Park.
He previously worked in America for four months, spending three months as a camp councillor and the rest travelling before setting up his own business Websoft Solutions. He added: “I just have these ideas that come to me and I’m always trying to think of ways to help - how could you not.
At times you don’t want to let people know in case people think you are taking over but Rachel’s always been happy about it and I wanted to help her out.
“Websites are just what I do and Jessica is such a lovely wee girl. I think Rachel worries I’m to busy at work to help but I am more than happy to help because as soon as Jessica gets the money she will hopefully be on the mend.
“For a while it was just Rachel fundraising so it’s good she has more help.
“When the car crash happened it was just luck that saved us. That morning I felt really sick and apprehensive about the skydive but I wasn’t going to back out and we were just two minutes away when it happened - thankfully I had the B&B card in my jeans so was finally able to tell the ambulance where to come.
“Now we’re just looking forward to the fun-day, the whole idea was to raise money and give a day for people to enjoy.”
Rachel spoke about Paul’s support. She said: “I don’t know how to thank him enough, if it wasn’t for Paul we wouldn’t be where we are with the amount of money. He is saving Jessica and saving me at the same time as without Jess I wouldn’t have anything. He has looked after me since the car crash and even considering he was in the car crash and could have been killed. He has just been fab.”
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