When Sebastian Andrews was recently diagnosed with Chrohn’s disease and instructed to stick to an eight-week “milkshake diet”, he decided to help others.
Restricted to a special milk-based protein supplement drink for two months would be no easy feat, so the Mt Riverview youngster decided to seek sponsorship for every day he stuck to the diet.
All funds raised will go to Destiny Rescue, a Christian non-profit organisation dedicated to rescuing children trapped in the sex trade.
“My auntie [Deborah Slark] said she would sponsor me if I stayed on my diet. It got me to thinking that maybe other people would sponsor me too and maybe we could give the money to children that really needed it,” Sebastian said.
“I really want to help Destiny Rescue help children to be freed from slavery.”
Sebastian has already raised $2200, with the goal of reaching $3000, which is the average amount it costs to free two children from sexual slavery or exploitation.
Attending Wycliffe Christian School, Sebastian has already taken part in a few fundraisers for Destiny Rescue, and wanted to do more to help children less fortunate than himself.
Chrohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract.
Mum Karen Andrews explained that the milk drink diet was aimed at settling the bowel, and then bland foods would slowly be reintroduced to her son’s diet.
“The plan is to get him back eating solid food again, but it is a lifelong condition,” Mrs Andrews said.
Sebastian has three more weeks on the diet after which he’s hoping to enjoy his favourite food – sushi.
“Just having something to eat would be great,” he said.
While he’s been on this diet, Sebastian turned 12. He celebrated his birthday early with dinner at a Japanese restaurant in Katoomba the night before starting the eight-week diet, and he’s hoping there’ll be a return visit in the near future.
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