Please help us raise £35,000 for Tree of Hope to help Sophie Thomlinson receive a selective dorsal rhizotomy operation and help fund post-operative physiotherapy and equipment.

Hello,

My name is Sophie, and I am 2 years old. I was born prematurely at 33 weeks and weighed just 3lbs 8oz. I spent most of the first year of my life in hospital.

In July 2013, my mummy and daddy were told that I had a condition called spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy, which means I can’t stand, walk, or run like my friends do.

I have to do special exercises and use a standing frame for 1 hour every day, which helps my muscles and joints get stronger.

My doctor has said there is an operation I can have when I am 4 called a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR), which would help me walk. However, it may not be available on the NHS, so my family and friends are helping me raise enough money for the operation and to change my life forever!

I will also need lots of physiotherapy after the operation and special equipment to help me.

Sophie, aged 2

Hello friends, I am now 9 years old and doing OK! With all your help, I am continuing therapy four times a year. As I am growing, I now need further surgery, which will mean that I will need more physio, equipment, and support. I will need to learn to walk again, and it is going to be a long journey, but Mummy will be by my side, as always.

As all of these things cost so much, we understand that this pandemic has been difficult for everyone, but I am hoping that all of my lovely supporters, old and new, would possibly help me however they can.

We have all had a tough couple of years with everything going on, but I am strong, and with help, I can make my tiny steps into big steps.

Thank you,

Sophie and Mummy xx

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.