Answering the call to raise Money for Maddi, the community has got stuck in to find the £300,000 needed for a 15-year-old girl to have life-saving surgery.
As reported last week, Maddi Thurgood, a former pupil at Helena Romanes School in Dunmow and now a pupil at Joyce Frankland Academy in Newport was diagnosed in April, just two days before her 15th birthday, with Krabbe, a disease, which if not treated can be completely disabling and then fatal.
Children at Dunmow Primary School, where Maddi Thurgood was a pupil, have already raised £1,200 with a non-uniform day and a cake sale and one pupil in reception called Lilly, decided to open up her piggy bank and donate all her pocket money.
Headteacher, Kevin Watts said: “This is a fantastic example of how caring and understanding Lilly is at such a young age.
Maddie used to be a pupil here and Year 6 have come up with some ideas to do their bit to get Maddie the treatment she needs. photograph of one of our reception pupils who decided that she wanted to donate all of her pocket money from her piggy bank to help Maddie.
“Staff and some pupils who knew her heard about her plight and wanted to do something. We were blown away with the money we raised in just one day. The pupils, staff and parents have been fantastic in contributing to this essential cause.”
Other fundraisers have been busy setting up events including, parties, concerts and quiz nights. A collection in Saffron Walden market raised £294.
On June 3, singer, James Ford will provide live music at a barbecue at The Swan Inn, Felsted.
The event is from 7pm, tickets are £20 for adults and £5 for children from 01371 820245.
A quiz night to raise funds for Maddi is being held at The Flitch of Bacon in Dunmow on Saturday, June 21 from 8pm with raffle prizes including a meal for two at the restaurant, donated by owner, Michelin starred chef, Daniel Clifford. The event is being organised by beautician Joy Allen and Harriet Reinelt from Dunmow. There will be tables of five. Tickets are £10 each from 07921 470 557 or on the door.
Dunmow Round Table hopes to raise £10,000 for Maddi with their Summer 80s Beach Party on Friday, June 24 at Foakes Hall in Dunmow.
Party-goers are invited to dress like it’s 1985 and dance to singer Fil Straughan and the band Strong Sensations. Tickets at £18 each are available from www.greatdunmowroundtable.co.uk
There is also an on-going collection at Saffron Walden Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, which has so far raised £314. Organiser, Jacqui Portway said: “Not everyone can afford to give a lot but if they give their loose change that will mount up too.”
Maddi’s family are hoping that a stem cell transplant, available in America, will save her. They have been advised that the procedure will cost £300,000 which they are trying to raise. In the first week of fundraising nearly £50,000 was given. Last week, Maddi and her parents, Carina and Paul flew to see a specialist at The Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh for a consultation.
To donate to Maddi’s treatment, visit https://crowdfunding.justiving.com/save-our-maddi.
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