Brother of locked-in sufferer Oli Coppock launches 24-hour fundraiser

Dylan Coppock is coping as best he can since his brother, Oli Coppock, suffered a major setback after an operation to remove a brain tumour in November 2023.

After collapsing during a return to hospital in May, Oli was diagnosed with partial locked-in syndrome, and the only part of his body he could move was his eyes. 

After some improvement, Oli can now shake his head slightly, and squeeze with his right hand, so his condition has been recategorised by doctors as an acquired brain injury.

With a very long road to recovery ahead of him, family and friends have been fundraising hard to ensure Oli has access to the best rehab care available.    

Now, 15-year-old Dylan, who is something of a sports fan, is planning to add to the total raised with a unique 24-hour Golfathon at Hartford Golf Club on Monday, October 21, starting at 9am.  

Dylan and Oli Coppock (Image: Beth Wright)

He will be joined by some of his friends, as well Oli’s other supporters, in getting in as many rounds of golf as possible in a 24-hour period.

When darkness falls, the group will head indoors and play golf on the driving range, as well as adventure golf, night golf on the course, and when that gets too hard, the trusty PlayStation.

Dylan said: “I want to see him again standing on his own two feet waving and cheering me on from the touchline whilst I play the game of my life in goal for him.

“He is one of my biggest fans.

"My 24-hour golfathon is about making sure as many people as possible hear about what my brother is going through.

“If people are kind enough to contribute what they can afford to his GoFundMe fundraiser, together we will give him the chance he deserves to get well."

Oli was making a great recovery from his November 2023 operation until a major setback changed everything in May (Image: Beth Wright)

Oli’s partner, Beth Wright, said: “Dylan has really struggled to process what's happening to his brother, but he’s determined to help him every way he can.

“As far as we know, his golfathon idea has never been done before, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and funds for such an important cause.

“His dad, Steve, has been a huge help organising the event.

“Our efforts so far have raised a whopping £26,000, thanks to the kind generosity of the public.

Beth Wright (left) wants Oli to have the best rehab care available (Image: Beth Wright)

Beth says Oli’s greatest chance of improving his quality of life is having the best possible rehabilitation care.

There are specialist rehabilitation homes which the NHS don’t necessarily fund, which is where any money raised will go.

There Oli would have access to occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physio, assistive technology, and all kinds of activities.

She added: “This is a mission we will continue to pursue to ensure we’re able to provide Oli with the best opportunities possible.”