A young boy from Melksham is making a significant impact by raising money for children like him, thanks to a special cuddly toy. Riley, a six-year-old, has embraced his life with a stoma—a bag that helps him remove waste from his body—after complications from birth led to its fitting. He has decided to walk 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to support the charity A Bear Named Buttony, which provides stuffed animals designed for kids with similar medical conditions.
Riley initially aimed to fund five bears but has impressively raised over £1,600, enough to purchase more than 50 bears. “I am very excited to do my walk because I know it’s helping lots of children like me who don’t have a bear yet,” he said. “I want to raise lots of money to help lots of children because Buttony bear is the best!” His mother, Beth, noted that for him, the raised amount feels like a “million pounds,” given his innocent perspective on money.
Beth shared that Riley found it challenging to feel different from other kids until he received his own Buttony Bear, which also has a stoma. “He’s been asking a lot of questions—why he has a stoma—and he’s said ‘it’s not fair,’ but having the bear has really helped him,” she explained. “It’s like his best friend. He brings it to school, and it has become a massive part of our family. It has really helped him accept himself because he doesn’t feel alone anymore.”
Riley’s journey began when he experienced health issues as a baby. At eight weeks old, he was hospitalized with a urinary tract infection, which led to bacterial meningitis. “Seeing your child so poorly and being unable to help them is incredibly difficult,” Beth said. Over the next few weeks, Riley was on antibiotics, and it was later discovered that his kidneys and bladder were not functioning properly.
After several tests and 11 surgeries, including a significant operation to fit his stoma at the age of two, Riley has continued to battle health challenges. Beth emphasized that the surgery has transformed Riley’s life, but he sometimes struggles with feeling different from his peers.
The idea for the charity walk originated from Riley’s grandmother, aiming to boost his mental health while helping others. Riley started with a modest goal to raise £150, and now, he can’t believe how much support he’s received. “He’s so proud of himself, and we’re amazed by everyone’s generosity,” Beth expressed.
Jenny Gow MBE, who founded A Bear Named Buttony in 2015 after her daughter Eilidh, who received a stoma at age three, explained the importance of the charity. “The bear makes it much easier for children to talk about stomas because they can use the bear to explain their own situation,” she said. Since its inception, the charity has donated over 6,600 bears to children across the UK.
As the day of the walk approaches, Riley and his family remain grateful for the outpouring of support that will help make a difference in the lives of many other children facing similar challenges.
