A Manchester woman is taking on The Lake District Ultra Challenge – 100 kilometres in 24 hours walk over June 8 and 9, to help her four-year-old niece achieve her dream of walking.
Effie Middleton, who lives in Coventry, has triplegic cerebral palsy which affects her lower limbs and upper left limb, meaning she is unable to walk or stand up unaided. This, in turn, affects other aspects of her life and health including blood circulation, digestion and sleep.
She has been lent an Innowalk in the past which allowed her to exercise daily, feel the motion of walking and build up her muscles and strength. Her mum Ellena, 30, is now hoping to raise £33,000 to buy Effie one of her own.
Hannah Middleton, 33, a client services coordinator who lives in Urmston said: I’ve never done anything like this before and it will be quite a challenge. I’ve been training – walking and running – but probably not enough!’
‘I was inspired by my sister Ellena, who did the same event in London last year, to help raise money for an Innowalk for her daughter Effie. They still need about £8000 to buy the machine, and I’m hoping to raise at least £1,000 towards it.’
Ellena said: ‘Effie adored the Innowalk – I could barely get her out of it! It works a little like a motorized cross-trainer. If she had one of her own it would do so much for her, improving her muscle strength, flexibility and independence, as well as all the other health benefits which come with being able to stand and move in an upright position.’
‘Effie is a typical little girl who likes doing all the things that most girls of her age enjoy, singing, dancing, role playing, messing around with toys. She’s very inquisitive and loves school. An Innowalk would dramatically improve her independence and quality of life and we are really grateful for any support people can give in helping us buy one for her.’
The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like Effie with healthcare needs, where the NHS can’t support and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid, corporate support whilst also providing donor reassurance.
Becky Andrew, Tree of Hope CEO said: ‘We wish Hannah all the best with her impressive challenge and the family with their ongoing fundraising for Effie, and are here to help however we can.’
To sponsor Hannah or to donate to Effie’s fund visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/hannah-middleton-1706884396878 or https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/ways-to-give/childrens-campaigns/effie-s-independence/
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