Shopping mall’s cash help boosts fund for girl’s op
A schoolgirl with cerebral palsy has moved closer to a life-changing operation after Maidstone’s biggest shopping centre donated £6,000 towards her surgery.
Lily-Mae Leadsham is unable to walk independently and relies on a walker or wheelchair to get around.
The five-year-old, from Ringlestone, is booked in for a pre-operation assessment next month and is now just £8,000 shy of the £60,000 target to pay for surgery and aftercare.
Lily-Mae missed out on NHSfunded trials and the family have to foot the bill for the £27,000 operation and £30,000-plus of aftercare.
The Mall Maidstone handed over a cheque to Lily-Mae’s parents Kerry and Sam on Tuesday to go towards the operation on the youngster’s spine.
Mother-of-three Kerry, 31, of Finch Court, said: “We are very humbled and grateful to The Mall Maidstone for this generous donation towards Lily-Mae’s operation. This incredible donation brings us so close to her total of £60,000 – thank you.”
The special procedure, selective dorsal rhizotomy, will take place at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. It involves a spinal cord operation that could eliminate the problems with her legs and one day enable her to walk without pain or difficulty.
Lily-Mae, who was born prematurely was diagnosed with cerebral palsy aged two, has already proven her determination.
The youngster, who goes to Palace Wood primary in Allington, learned to crawl when she was two-and-a-half and is now able to walk with a frame, but still longs to do all the things other little girls do.
Suzie Brindle, marketing manager at The Mall Maidstone, said: “The Mall Cares programme is dedicated to supporting local charities and we are proud and humbled to support Lily’s Little Legs. Our donation will help this little girl walk independently and we couldn’t be happier to add funding to such a wonderful cause.”
If you would like to donate to help Kerry and dad Sam raise the rest of the cash for Lily-Mae’s surgery you can text LILY04 £5 to 70070. Alternatively, donate online via tinyurl.com/lilylegs 47 Dumpton Park Drive, CT11 8AD T: 01303 487 124 e: petticoatemporium@ hotmail.com