Jake's Story

Jake Crump, a local lad from Chard, started a fundraiser in March 2021 to buy his Dad a Hero Arm from Open Bionics. Jake needed to raise £11,000 to buy the prosthetic bionic arm and he successfully did this by the end of the year.

Jake’s Dad, Del Crump, had his arm amputated in 1997 after an accident at work. He trapped it inside an industrial wood burner that turned on. Surgeons managed to stitch his arm back together but decided that the best thing they could do for Del was to amputate.

Jake explained that Del was finding it more difficult to carry out everyday tasks as he got older, so wanted to buy him a bionic arm to make life easier for him. It was Jake’s wish that he could do this before he left home at the end of 2021.

Jake explained, "Since dad's accident, he had managed well and was coping brilliantly with just one arm. Over the years he has done so much to help me, and never let his injury get in the way.

"I was never really sporty but I did play cricket and dad would volunteer at the cricket club and would get involved with anything he could to help.

"He did the same for my younger brother – whatever we have wanted to do in life, even if it was a terrible idea, they have always supported us!

“It means a great deal to be able to do one last thing to thank your parents and this seemed like the best way to say thank you for everything he’s done for all of us.”

Jake explained that his Dad had been looking forward to cooking again with his new arm, and being able to multitask in the kitchen.

In March 2021, Del visited the company who made his bionic arm to try one for the first time. "He could sometimes still feel his hand there, he had phantom pains and could feel the muscles," said Jake. "When they used a trial hand he was able to see fingers move for the first time in twenty-odd years."

Del Crump said he had been "incredibly humbled by the response" to the fundraising campaign.

"The support from the local community and people online was amazing, and I really can't thank everyone enough. Jake has made me incredibly proud," he said.

Jake says that “Dad now has more or less complete independence because of his new arm, holding cutlery, using the phone while doing other tasks, and of course picking up the odd pint here and there! Dad also has more confidence while out and about, people looking at his arm because it’s cool not because it’s strange to see is a huge difference!”

James Gillingham would, undoubtedly have been amazed by the work of Open Bionics, based in Bristol,  just 50 miles from Chard. Additionally he would no doubt been enthralled to see the ‘blade’ and how it and other developments have opened sporting opportunities for those with a disability.

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