'˜Mystery donor will change my daughter's life'
As reported previously, six-year-old Leonie suffers with severe cerebral palsy affecting all four limbs, which can only be remedied with a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy operation.
However, this operation is not currently available on the NHS, and will cost around £60,000 in total, including the surgery - around £11,000 - and the subsequent two years of specialist physiotherapy.
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Hide AdOver £22,000 had already been raised thanks to various fundraisers, but last week’s anonymous donation of £6,500 will make a real difference, giving Leonie’s mum, Vicki, the confidence to go ahead with the operation.
Vicki told the Leader: “The hospital called up to say that an anonymous person had made this huge donation, and I just burst into tears.
“I was shocked, I can’t believe it. They are genuinely anonymous, I haven’t got a clue who it is - but I want to thank them so much.
“This amount will change my daughter’s life. It’s overwhelming.
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Hide Ad“I hope that whoever it is will be able to watch Leonie grow up, and see what a difference they have made.”
Although this donation is an important milestone, more money still needs to be raised to ensure that the specialist physiotherapy can be provided - otherwise the operation will become ineffective in the long-term.
Some tickets are still available for the ‘Rumble Ball’ at the Beachcomber in Cleethorpes tomorrow evening (Friday September 21), including a meal, silent auction, raffle, disco, and the Rumble Band. Book your tickets (£30 each) by calling 01472 812666.
You can also go along after 9pm and pay £10 on the door to enjoy the band and the disco.
• If you know a specialist ‘SDR’ physiotherapist in the Lincolnshire area, email: [email protected].