On Thursday 11th July ‘24 I will be participating in the iDrop Challenge within a group to help raise money for 13 year old Matilda. This very brave and positive girl has cerebral palsy which significantly affects her movement and posture. Throughout her life, Matilda has had numerous surgeries to improve her abilities. Now, being the age that she is, there is a limited amount of time for final surgeries to take place so that she can keep her mobility and, most importantly, keep her independence.

Matilda likes to spend time with her friends and manages to keep up with them if walking short distances, however, she often needs to use a wheelchair or walker. She struggles to sleep due to the pains she gets and has to take medication to help relax her muscles. Matilda needs to have surgery on her tight hamstrings to lengthen them. This will help stop the pain, relieve pressure on her back, and keep her walking. This is not available to her on the NHS and so needs to be paid for privately.

My husband and I have 12 year old twin boys, one of whom also has cerebral palsy. It could very well be us facing the same position as Matilda and her family so this fundraising cause is very close to my heart. I have to say that I am absolutely terrified of abseiling/dropping from such a height - the highest controlled descent in the UK! - but if me being outside of my comfort zone for a short period of time can help towards Matilda gaining a more able, independent, and comfortable life then I am all for it!

Anything that you are able to give to help reach her fundraising target would be absolutely amazing and hugely appreciated. Funds will be for The Tree of Hope registered children’s charity which gives support to help sick and disabled children and young people in the UK who don’t get funded support from the NHS 🌳🙏❤️