Dean Nelson in Delhi
We've made some changes
to The Sunday Times
When nine-year-old Ashley Vanristell was told he had a blood disorder that would kill him unless he had expensive treatment that his parents could never afford, he did not despair. He turned to a Christmas magic kit to conjure up the cash he needed.
Ashley, who lives with his Anglo-Indian family in a Mumbai slum, was gravely ill with pneumonia when doctors discovered that he was one of thousands of Indian children born with a hereditary immune disorder. The condition means his body cannot resist the many infections common in India without monthly transfusions of purified gamma globulin.
His parents, Andrea and Clive, who are descended from British railway workers in India, were told the cost of saving his life would be about £800 a month, more than double his father’s wage as a labourer on a Gulf oil rig.
Ashley’s illness forced his parents to stop him playing in the street. Instead he watched television all day and developed a fascination with the show of David Blaine, the magician. When Father Christmas brought him a magic set, he had an idea.
“He was six and had been practising with his magic set and getting good at it,” his mother said. “He started performing for neighbours and friends. Then one day he came into the kitchen and asked: ‘Mummy, why don’t I do magic to earn money for my treatment?’ ” She agreed. Ashley started taking bookings for birthday parties and was soon appearing before local politicians and television personalities.
He has since had parts in Bollywood films and has become the face of Dulux paint and Surf washing powder in television commercials.
However, companies in India pay tiny one-off fees to actors in advertisements. Dulux paid him about £500. So Ashley still relies on his magic show to make money, while his mother dresses as a clown and acts as his assistant. He charges £25 for his shows and uses them to find sponsors for his treatment.
Last week he performed at India’s National Festival of Magic with rapid-fire tricks and illusions. India’s top magicians helped to raise £350, which he will use to launch the Ashley Hypogammaglobulinemia Foundation Trust to promote cheaper treatment and help other children.
Ashley said he would like to direct action movies when he was older. By then he will need at least double his dose of imported antibodies. “It will be a little hard for my daddy and mummy. They’ll have to do lots of work, but I’m a magician and I’ll do more magic shows,” he said.
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What an amazing boy!
India's growing wealth mean Indian should soon join the west and Japan and make health care a human right -- supported by the generosity of the population through taxation.
In the mean time, can't the incredibly wealthy Indians, sheltered from first-world taxes do something?
Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada
Surely someone like the Chairman of Kingfisher Group ,who pays millions of £ to see Sutil drive F1 cars into the back of other F1 cars, could afford a little amount to save his live ? Amazing, all the "top magicians" could only raise £350 between them, and Dulux a multinational only gave £500.
John, Woking, Surrey
A brave and intelligent boy living in a slum in the wealthiest city in India. Perhaps some of the rich Bollywood actors would share their income, or even a rich Indian businessman dealing in Iron Steel and Coal.
JANE FLEMING, Whittlesey, United Kingdom
Agreed, a very brave little boy. I wish I could afford to pay for his treatment but ain't rich. He has got off his backside and made the most of his talents to help himself (which is why - is there anyone outthere willing to fund him?) he deserves to be cured.
Unlike the moaners in this country.
Seilbahn, Doncaster, South Scotland
A very brave little boy. It is great to read good news, for a change.
elsie whyte, bangor, Down