A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy living with a terminal genetic disease has realised the first of his bucket list dreams after he was invited to cut the ribbon to open a new store.

Joshua Jessop’s parents, Alan and Karen, are now hoping he can fulfil the rest of his dreams. They have launched a Facebook page about his journey for life and an account on crowdfunding website GoFundMe.

Joshua, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

His mother said: “It is a stinker of a disease and is the most common fatal genetic disorder to affect children around the world. If you've got it you can't produce dystrophin, a protein you need to build up your muscles.

“As a result every muscle in the body deteriorates and currently there is no cure. In light of this we are trying to build up a bank of positive memories for Joshua and he's made the bucket list.”

The list includes:

  • Going on a holiday in a caravan you can drive.
  • A trip in a classic car.
  • Seeing the real Father Christmas.
  • Being a celebrity by opening a store and cutting the ribbon.

To kick off the appeal, the Next store at Catterick Garrison offered Joshua the chance to cut the ribbon when they opened their new store.

“He was so excited, but a bit shy at first," said Mrs Jessop.

"The store were so good with him. I think he had seen celebrities cutting ribbons on television and thought he would like to do it.

"He was really thrilled to tick off the first thing on his bucket list."

The family moved to Richmond recently after Mr Jessop took a job as a caretaker at a local school. Mrs Jessop said they have set up the GoFundMe account and are planning to organise events in the new year to help raise money towards the specialist equipment Joshua will need, as well as getting help with the bucket list.

“It was something positive we wanted to do for Joshua," she said.

"He has told us that when he dies he wants to come back as a cheetah so that he can run fast because at the moment he can’t because of his poorly muscles.

“We are currently undergoing wheelchair assessment and Joshua has already decided that he would like a red one with Minion wheels. He loves dinosaurs, Minions and Transformers and even though he struggles to read and write, has a wonderful imagination."

Anyone who would like to help can find out more on Facebook at 'Joshua's Journey For Life', which also includes a link to the GoFundMe page.