A RAPID UK rescue squad have pledged to bring a ten-year-old boy to Britain for treatment after they saved him from certain death in the rubble of India's worst earthquake.
The Okehampton-based rescue organisation hopes to find sponsors to bring the boy to the UK for a new prosthetic leg, which an Oxfordshire company has offered to pay for.
Director of Rapid UK Graham Payne explained how the team had grown very attached to the boy who they spent hours easing from tons of rubble. His leg had been pinned down by debris and had to be amputated.
The youngster lost his brother in the earthquake and his mother also died during the rescue attempt.
'They spent so many hours with him and know only too well what he went through,' said Mr Payne.
'The boy will not be well enough to fly to the UK for at least three weeks but we are determined to get him here as soon as possible.'
He will need to make six to eight trips to the UK until he is 18 for new fittings.
'If anyone can help fund the boy coming to England and his convalescence we would be so grateful,' added Mr Payne. 'With a new limb and mobility training he can look forward to some hope of normality.'
Westcountry Ambulance Service have pledged to help with transport in the UK and are prepared to send a Frontline Paramedic Ambulance to transport the child from any airport in the country.
Mr Payne has praised the work of the 12-man team from Rapid who returned from India on Friday night: 'They have done a brilliant job and we are very proud of them,' he said.
The Okehampton-based charity was dispatched to render humanitarian assistance following the devastating earthquake nearly two weeks ago which is feared could have claimed as many as 100,000 lives.
If anyone can help fund the young lad coming to England they should call Graham Payne on 01837 851443.