An Angus fundraiser is to be held for a profoundly deaf youngster to raise money to replace an implant which helps him to hear.
Arbroath Accordion and Fiddle Club are once again preparing for their annual charity open day and this year’s chosen charity is the Oliver Bosch Appeal.
Oliver Bosch, aged eight, has a congenital condition known as Goldenhar syndrome where the auditory nerve is missing, which means sound cannot get through to his brain.
After a failed trial of hearing aids and an MRI scan he was found to have no auditory nerves or balance nerves at all.
He is therefore not treatable with cochlear implants either.
Oliver also has a fused section in his spine causing scoliosis as well as some missing ribs.
At the age of two, he had an auditory brain stem implant fitted to enable him to hear.
The Carnoustie youngster is due to have his implant upgraded in 2024 at a cost of up to £12,000.
The device will help Oliver to continue the progress he has already made.
Tony Simpson from Arbroath Accordion and Fiddle Club said: “Oliver is a very special young lad who is suffering from Goldenhar Syndrome, the only child in Scotland with this condition.
“Oliver is profoundly deaf and has undergone an auditory brain stem implant.
“This expensive, however beneficial procedure assists Oliver where a conventional cochlear implant would not.
“This treatment does require constant and expensive maintenance and upgrades and Oliver also requires specialist speech and language therapy which again is costly.
“It is hoped that the proceeds from the open day will continue to improve Oliver’s quality of life.”
The open day will be held on Sunday October 6 at the Meadowbank Inn in Arbroath and Mr Simpson said the line-up has something for everyone.
The afternoon session running from 1.30pm until 5pm will feature many local and visiting musicians and entry will cost £5.
The evening session will be a dance, starting at 7.30pm and will feature the very popular Scott Band and his Scottish Dance Band.
A ticket for the dance will be £8 however a combined afternoon and evening ticket will cost £12.
Further details of the event can be obtained by calling the club secretary on 01241 858091 or by emailing arbroathaccordionfiddleclub@gmail.com
