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Epilepsy boy Billy Caldwell's Santa letter given to health minister as funding plea

Billy Caldwell with his older brother Kyle Moore, who is running 300 miles to raise money for his life-saving treatment in America 
Billy Caldwell with his older brother Kyle Moore, who is running 300 miles to raise money for his life-saving treatment in America  Billy Caldwell with his older brother Kyle Moore, who is running 300 miles to raise money for his life-saving treatment in America 

THE brother of Co Tyrone child who suffers from severe epilepsy has handed in the youngster's Santa letter to the health minister in the hope her department will help fund his life-saving treatment.

Billy Caldwell (11) from Castlederg is currently awaiting surgery in the United States.

The schoolboy suffers from intractable and status epilepsy which means the seizures he suffers can not be controlled by lifestyle or medication.

He is currently receiving cannabis oil as a form of treatment to control his seizures and it has proved successful.

Three weeks ago he penned a letter to Santa in which he wrote that he did not want to die.

"Santa I do not want to go and live with the angels. I want to stay here with my mummy and big bro," he wrote.

On Tuesday Billy's brother, who is embarking on a 300-mile charity run, handed the letter into Stormont along with a request from Billy to urgently fund his life-saving treatment.

The family have also appealed for cannabis oil to be legalised to help with his rehabilitation on his return to Northern Ireland.

Kyle, who is carrying the equivalent of his brother's weight (20kg) on his back, hopes to finish the run in Omagh on Tuesday.

Billy Caldwell's letter to Santa Claus handed into the office of the Health Minister  <br />&nbsp;
Billy Caldwell's letter to Santa Claus handed into the office of the Health Minister
 
Billy Caldwell's letter to Santa Claus handed into the office of the Health Minister
 

The family have so far raised close to £100,000 which falls far short of the estimated £300,000 bill.

"Many times I have quietly sat, deep in thought, tears in my eyes, very real images of the unthinkable, me carrying my wee bro in a white coffin," he said.

"I can't let that happen. I love my wee bro, I will never give up on him, I intend to wipe out those images once and for all," he added.

To donate you can visit the online page at www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/just4children/keepbillyalive2 or text Keep81 to 70070.