Family appeal for help with disabled girl’s giraffe trip

A family are hoping to send a terminally ill disabled teenager to Africa to spend time with her favourite animal.

Friends and relatives of Elke Wisbey, 14, from Boughton Lees, have launched an appeal to raise £18,000 to send her on the trip of a lifetime to Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.

The teenager, from Ashford, was starved of oxygen at birth, leaving her with brain damage, resulting in her becoming nonverbal and unable to walk.

As a consequence, Elke also suffers from scoliosis of the spine and osteoporosis.

Her condition has progressed rapidly in recent months, leaving doctors and her family unable to predict how long the teenager has left to live.

Elke’s spine is collapsing, impacting on her ability to breathe and causing regular seizures.

Her mother, Glynnis Wisbey, 51, said: “She’s very much in pain. It’s really difficult. I don’t want to talk about the end of my daughter’s life.

“At one point they said she might not make it until Easter. I’m trying to do as much as I can now to prepare.”

Now friends and family are desperate to give Elke a happy family trip to spend quality time with giraffes, her favourite animal.

Elke’s love for giraffes began at the age of one, when Glynnis bought her a musical toy as a comfort for when she went into hospital.

The family have spent a day at Port Lympne wildlife park but would love for Elke to have a few days getting to know the giraffes.

They have appealed to wish foundations for terminally ill children but these mostly operate within the UK or Europe.

Mrs Wisbey said: “It’s still a possibility but it takes time.

“At the moment, we are all still asking the same people.

“Whenever she’s been really ill, there’s always been a giraffe there, through all the good times and the bad times. They would keep her going.”

Friends are already completing sponsored runs and other fundraising with £1,000 out of the £18,000 target now raised.

Giraffe Manor has agreed to accommodate Elke, Glynnis, dad Matthew, 51, and brother Galahad, 18. The money raised would go towards flights and insurance.

To donate to Elke’s trip, go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lisa-hynes-1.