Charity ball to boost funds for Ollie’s Army
ABUSINESSWOMAN is organising a glamorous charity ball to raise cash for a family hit by a rare and fatal illness.
Emma Breen, who owns children’s clothes shop Little Betty’s Boutique in Hazel Grove, was inspired to help after meeting Lucy Carroll and her children Ollie, six and Amelia, three.
Both children have been diagnosed with Battens Disease, a genetic condition which damages the cells in the brain, gradually robbing the sufferer of their speech, sight, and ability to walk and eat.
Ollie is already unable to walk or talk and there are limited drugs available to ease his symptoms.
Sadly, he is not expected to live beyond 12 years old and in 2015 the family from Poynton suffered a further blow when Amelia was diagnosed with Battens Disease at the age of two.
The ball is being held to help to raise money for Ollie’s Army, a charity started by Lucy and her husband Mike to fund research into a cure for the condition and help ease the strain of daily life for their children.
They have had to make extensive renovations to their house to enable Ollie and Amelia to be cared for at home.
The black tie event is taking place on Sunday, November 19, at Marple Golf Club and tickets cost £10 per person.
Guests can expect appearances from Ollie and Amelia’s favourite characters – Spiderman, Batman, Ariel and Belle – as well as a red-carpet arrival, photographer, horse-drawn carriage rides, mini disco, fashion show, sweets and cupcakes.
Ollie’s Army has attracted the attention of a number of high profile celebrities, including Sergio Aguero, Rory McIllroy, Michael Vaughan, Olly Murrs and Prince Harry, who Ollie met at last year’s WellChild Awards where he won the inspirational child award.
Lucy said: “Ollie doesn’t understand what is going on with his body, his legs don’t do what he wants them to do, he opens his mouth to speak but nothing comes out.
“Any adult would give up but Ollie keeps fighting, his smile lights up the room. He has surprised specialists with his strength and determination.”
To buy tickets for the ball e-mail events@ olliesarmy.co.uk, or for more information or to make a donation visit olliesarmy.co.uk.