Stratford family and friends raising money for life-changing equipment for young girl
A CHARITY shopping event in Stratford aims to raise funds for life changing equipment which will help a four-year-old girl get stronger and take some of the most important steps she will ever make.
Family and friends of Effie Middleton are currently fundraising through Tree Of Hope Children’s Charity to buy Innowalk equipment for Effie who has Triplegic cerebral palsy but the cost for the equipment can be upwards of £33,000 and is not available on the NHS.
Effie’s condition seriously affects both her lower limbs and upper left limb and ultimately her mobility. The equipment will strengthen her muscles which means her ability to walk will improve – with daily exercise - as will her sense of independence.
Effie lives in Coventry with her mum Ellena Middleton and her partner, Ben Harris, who was born and bred in Stratford and whose mother is Caroline Berwick who lives in Stratford and is Effie’s grandmother.
“Effie relies on Ellena and Ben which is why the equipment will help so much with her daily motion of walking as her legs begin to strengthen. She’s a fun loving, happy and cheeky little girl who is very inquisitive, has lots of determination and drive and she’s just started reception class. We’ve seen how the equipment increased her independence during the school holidays and Ellena has it on loan again at Christmas,” Caroline said.
The charity shopping event came about when Caroline was sipping coffee at Stalls Lifestyle at Alscot Park where she regularly pops in and has a chat with Stall’s Lifestyle owner, Kathryn Bryan, who learned about Effie’s story and kindly offered to help with an event which is being staged on Thursday 5th October.
Caroline said: “The charity shopping evening will help raise as much money as possible to help us get nearer to our target. We are currently collecting raffle prizes and some of the local businesses have been amazing with their donations. The evening will include a raffle, an auction and the opportunity to do some shopping with a per-centage of proceeds from sales also going to the cause.”
And Caroline has also come up with a novel way of raising money for Effie with the offer of making a three-tier wedding cake for one lucky couple for just £10 but it will be her last piece of baking and creating as she is retiring from her business Daisyblue Bakehouse which she started 12 years ago.
“Tickets cost £10 each and the offer runs from 5th January until 20th December next year and couples have to be within a 25-mile radius of Stratford. I think a wedding cake like that would usually cost £400,” Caroline said.
Earlier in September, Ellena and Ben took part in the Thames Path Challenge and raised £2,200 which adds to the £12,000 reached so far.
“Effie is a very loving little girl and if we can raise money for our target of £35,000 for the equipment then that will help her one day achieve her dream of walking and independence like any other four-year-old,” said Caroline.
To donate: www.treeofhope.org.uk/effies-independence/
Tickets and a glass of fizz at the Charity Shopping Evening for Effie: www.stallslifestyle.co.uk/charity-shopping-evening
To win a wedding cake raffle: www.instagram.com/daisybluebakehouse/
