A charity is hoping to raise enough money to build a young girl with cerebral palsy her very own outdoor play facility.
Five-year-old Evie Munro, who lives in Aberdeen, suffers from cerebral palsy along with bulbar palsy, severe dystonia, resistant epilepsy, severe reflux and also cortical vision.
Travel is difficult due to the five-old’s condition and the ability to play somewhere without travelling a substantial distance would make the family’s life far easier.
Behind the effort to make that wish a reality is the Gathimba Edwards Foundation (GEF), which is encouraging people to help raise funds for Evie.
The play facility would also benefit Evie’s four-year-old brother – Jake– and allow him more chances to play independently.
Craig Munro, the youngsters’ father, said: “Evie is fed by a pump into her jejunum and only gets an hour off in every 24.
“Evie loves being outdoors and gets delight in motion and sound sensory activities.
“Travel has always been an issue for Evie due to her severe dystonia as her body constantly fights against seated positions.
“Various professionals continue to work on Evie’s seating issues but sadly haven’t found an answer and this has a huge impact on our family life as we all find travel difficult and stressful.
“Being able to access an outside play area suitable for both Evie and Jake at home would give joy to everyone; joy to the children being able to access something together and joy to us as parents as it would help to ease some of the guilt felt on being unable to leave the home.”
Money raised, with the current target standing at £1,000, will go towards GEF’s work to build the play facility at the family’s home.
It is hoped that a wheelchair accessible swing, a walking aid and sound sensory area could all be created.
Evie and her family will be attending GEF’s 2019 Dinner in February and receive the Neil Jaffrey Local Child in Need Award.
Myles Edwards, founder of GEF, said: “We have had the pleasure of getting to know the family over the past few months as part of our Neil Jaffrey Local Child in Need Award.
“We want to focus on areas of Evie’s life that we can have a positive impact on right now as many other areas such as her seating are so complex it is going to take time to find the right solution.
“Donations will go towards an outdoor play facility which we aim to build at their home.
“This is so important to the family as getting out and about is so difficult due to Evie’s seating issues and the fact it takes both her parents to travel for safety.
“Not only Evie would love this but so would her little brother.”
To donate to the fundraiser click here.
