A FUNDRAISER to support a Corwen teenager struck down by a tumour on his spinal cord has collected nearly £19,000 in the space of less than a week.

Osian Morris, who has lived in Corwen since last August, was diagnosed with the tumour in October 2018.

He had initially suffered a 'pins and needles' sensation in his legs, but scans later revealed a much more serious diagnosis. As a result of this, the 19 year-old is currently in a wheelchair and unable to feel anything from the waist down.

After a fundraising page was set up to support Osian, donations have come from far and wide to raise the sum which, at the time of writing, stands at around £19,000.

Osian’s dad Daf said: “The reaction to the fundraiser has been incredible. We set an initial target of £4,000 so to more than triple that is amazing.

"Osh's diagnosis was a real shock to us and it was a case of 'well, where do we go next?'. That's why we set up the fundraiser and we've been blown away by the response."

Denbighshire Free Press:

PICTURE: Daf and Osian Morris in their Corwen FC kits - before Osian's diagnosis in 2018.

In July 2019, it was found that between 60-70% of the messages from Osian's brain were getting through to his legs but something was stopping them from working - with scar tissue being the suggested issue from doctors.

The page, only set up last Friday, aimed to help Osian secure funds needed to attend the STEPS Rehabilitation Centre in Sheffield - which costs roughly £4000 a week, with experts there recommending a 4-6 week stay.

Osian is a former Corwen FC player and now turns out for Rhyl Raptors and North Wales Knights in wheelchair basketball.

Daf added: "Osh had always been an active person before the diagnosis so for him to find a sport he loves again is great - he has the natural ability for it.

"Going from being a fit, football playing 18-year-old to being wheelchair bound has been a massive change for him.

"I would just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the fundraiser so far. Any funds left over will be used towards buying a wheelchair for Osh to use in his basketball matches."

Denbighshire Free Press:

PICTURE: Osian has taken up wheelchair basketball.

Daf added that the support from the community in general has been "amazing" - with Mark and Nicola Wilson, parents of Wales and Bournemouth star Harry, donating a signed shirt from the man himself to Osian following an operation.

Osian has also been relying on his trusted sidekick Macsen - a labradoodle brought for him following an operation which has 'warmed the hearts' of everyone in the family, according to Daf.