We welcomed Olivia into our family on the 3rd of June 2010. At just six months old, we became concerned that Olivia wasn’t reaching her milestones. This was when our lives changed forever.

Olivia was diagnosed with Global Development Delay, Hypotonia, Joint Hypermobility, and Macrocephaly. However, despite the constant stream of tests she has endured for most of her life, the underlying cause has never been identified.

Early on, we were told that Olivia might never be able to walk. This prompted us to start fundraising with a registered charity, Tree of Hope. This charity helps fund speech and language therapy as well as intensive physiotherapy, which enabled Olivia to start walking at the age of five.

In December 2016, we received further heartbreaking news when Olivia was diagnosed with Autism. We felt lost, unsure of what Olivia’s needs would be. To better understand her condition and support her in every way possible, I undertook an eight-week sensory and diet program. This was life-changing and has made a real difference to our everyday family life.

Olivia has severe learning difficulties and has the developmental age of a three-year-old. Despite the challenges she faces, she is the sweetest, happiest, and most loving little girl.

Thanks to the ongoing support from her family, friends, and everyone who has attended and contributed to fundraising events in the past, we can continue to give Olivia a fighting chance to achieve a much brighter future.

Our fundraising efforts over the years have been immense and have already allowed Olivia to make significant progress. She benefits greatly from daily sensory activities, which have a huge impact on her overall wellbeing. However, providing these activities is an ongoing struggle due to the complexity of her needs and the lack of suitable space within our home.

Our dream now is to build Olivia her own sensory and therapy room, where we can provide her with the sensory activities, physiotherapy, and speech and language therapies she needs, all in the comfort of her own home.

Your support truly goes a long way and will make a meaningful difference in Olivia’s future. We appreciate all your ongoing support more than words can ever express.

Many thanks,

Debbie and Ray

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, then the funds will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects. If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.