Elodie to get operation - despite fundraising shortfall (From Penarth Times)

Elodie to get operation - despite fundraising shortfall

8:50am Friday 19th March 2010

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TWO-YEAR-OLD cerebral palsy sufferer Elodie Wilton WILL get the operation she needs to help improve her mobility - thanks to the generosity of Penarth Times readers who have answered the call to help raise £40,000 to pay for treatment.

Elodie's parents, Cath and Rhys Wilton, from Dinas Powys, have been in a race against time to raise the huge sum to pay for the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) procedure.

The operation is best performed when patients are young, before joint deformities take place.

The latest donation, raised by a team of runners who took part in the Llanelli Half Marathon in aid of the Elodie Wilton Appeal Fund, helped push the total to £26,000.

And despite still being £14,000 short of their target, the family will fly out to America in July so Elodie can undergo the SDR operation.

Cath said: "Elodie has now been accepted for surgery!

"We're flying out to St Louis on July 9 and Elodie will be having the operation on July 13.

"Everybody has been so generous since the story first appeared in the Penarth Times in October.

"We can't thank people enough.

"The Team Elodie runners at the Llanelli Half Marathon did an amazing job and it was a brilliant day.

"We've got four months left to raise the remaining £14,000," she added.

"We've done so well so far though, so I'm sure we'll do it in time."

For more information or to make a donation, log on at www.elodieappeal.co.uk

*A fundraising concert by the Canton Rugby Football Club Choir will take place at Lower Penarth Community Centre on Wednesday, 21 April, at 7.30pm. Following the concert there will be a sing-along. All proceeds will go to the appeal. Tickets at £5 (£4 for concessions) are available from Catherine on 07909 784554 or cathfitt@hotmail.com or from Ann Whitfield on 029 2070 3449 or ann.m.whitfield@btinternet.com

*The Ex-Servicemen’s Club on Windsor Road is the venue for a bank holiday bonanza of pub sports, as part of the fundraising appeal, on Sunday, May 2 (from 1pm). Teams of eight are invited to sign up, with the £40 entry fee being donated to the appeal. The winning team will be Penarth's inaugural Pub Sports Day winner. A raffle and evening karaoke complete the day. Teams must enter by April 18. For details or to donate raffle prizes, contact Gareth on 07723 318635.

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