Dear all, Octavia was born with SMA and yet she has never once complained about her daily struggle with normal life. Octavia is an intelligent and very pretty 14 year old, who, against the odds, has a real zest for life. Octavia is an inspiration to us all, as she unselfishly strives to raise awareness and money to help fund the essential research into finding a cure for this debilitating condition. I was so moved at a recent campaign launch dinner, to hear Octavia speak and most notably telling us just how important it is to raise these funds (see below) and yet "it (the cure) may not may not come in time to save me (Octavia). By raising this money, we will hopefully stop other children going through what I have". She is a truly remarkable young lady. SMA is Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMA is a devastating, genetic disease. It is a leading genetic killer of infants and toddlers. The SMA Trust is the only UK charity dedicated solely to funding research into this debilitating condition. Scientists are making significant progress in finding a cure, for which we need your help. Octavia has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type II. SMA is a genetically inherited neuromuscular condition resulting in decreased muscle strength throughout the body. This means that Octavia has a maximum of 10% of normal muscle strength and is a permanent wheelchair user. How much is Team Octavia looking to raise? Tim and his family and friends are aiming to raise £1 million this year through various challenges. Tim himself is walking the whole 630 miles of the South West Coastal Path and I will be accompanying him on the 5th leg from Wembury Beach to Budleigh Salterton. You can visit www.justgiving.com/andrew-j-stone or if you prefer you can send a cheque payable to The SMA Trust, Compton Scorpion, Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire CV36 4PJ Thank you all so much for your anticipated support. I will be sharing the blog writing responsibilities with Tim on our week together and will endeavour to post photographs on our way around. If you would like to follow the blog for the entire journey, please click on the link below:
This year, I have decided to get involved in raising money for Team Octavia (http://www.justgiving.com/Team-Octavia), and the SMA Trust. Below I try to answer some key questions about who we are, why we are doing it and what we are up to?
First and foremost who is Octavia?
Octavia Woodward is the eldest daughter of Tim and Henrietta Woodward, great friends of ours.
What is SMA?
How much am I wishing to raise personally ?
I would be delighted if I could raise £100,000 towards this target. Please dig deep into your pockets and remember that with every pound raised, we will be closer to finding a cure and saving the lives of many other children like Octavia.
How can you help?
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Donation by Rick on 07/10/11 |
£50.00 + £12.50 Gift Aid |
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With best wishes Donation by Anonymous on 23/08/11 |
£5,000.00 |
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Great job, mate. Well done. Donation by Jeremy Young on 26/07/11 |
£100.00 + £25.00 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Kieran Angelini-Hurll on 25/07/11 |
£100.00 + £25.00 Gift Aid |
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Cash received and donated, many thanks to you John for your support Donation by John (Dover St) on 25/07/11 |
£40.00 |
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Very impressed Andrew. Swimming the Bosphoros Asia to Europe next! Julia and Herman Donation by Julia Williams on 21/07/11 |
£100.00 |
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Fantastic, a very worth cause. Donation by Anna and Basil Goulandris on 14/07/11 |
£150.00 + £37.50 Gift Aid |
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This should cover the cider at South Allington House! Donation by Rick on 08/07/11 |
£70.00 + £17.50 Gift Aid |
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Good to see you moving well(ish) after you finished. Well done love the Byrnes Donation by Mark Byrne on 08/07/11 |
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Well done, Andrew. Great achievement for a worthy cause! Donation by John & Linda Weiss on 01/07/11 |
£200.00 + £50.00 Gift Aid |
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you did it! well done, what a great achievement, and I hope you had many laughs along the way, lilly, Joe and Jamie x Donation by lilly wakeley on 29/06/11 |
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Well done Andrew, great achievement and for a great cause. Good Luck on the final 13. Donation by Tony Ambite on 28/06/11 |
£30.00 + £7.50 Gift Aid |
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Well done Andrew & team - great achievement! Love Jen & David xx Donation by Jennie Simcock on 27/06/11 |
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Well done Andrew, great achievement. Love Julian & Sneeze Donation by Charles Wheeler on 27/06/11 |
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Well done Andrew and hope son Tim hasn't worn you out. You have done a wonderful walk in spite of late blisters etc. Donation by Jane Woodward on 27/06/11 |
£10.00 + £2.50 Gift Aid |
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Refund for unused linen! Donation by Churchwood Valley on 27/06/11 |
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Hope you are having fun and nearing a good pub for the evening Well done and keep it up Donation by Sarah and Alex Forrester on 26/06/11 |
£100.00 + £25.00 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Anonymous on 25/06/11 |
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Good Luck, Andrew. A very worthwhile cause and we all wish you the best of luck. Charles, Gracia, Edward, David, James, Michael and Charlie Donation by Charles Stone and family on 21/06/11 |
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good luck Andrew, enjoy the stroll! Donation by william griffith on 20/06/11 |
£50.00 |
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A fantastic cause - well done. Tony told me that he has all the relevent gels to rub into you...! Donation by Jamie Strauss on 20/06/11 |
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All the best for your walk (and the chafing.....don't forget the talc!) Donation by Peter & Tessa on 19/06/11 |
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A great effort for a very deserving cause. Well done. The Acheson-Grays Donation by James Acheson-Gray on 14/06/11 |
£100.00 + £25.00 Gift Aid |
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What a wonderful cause. Go Team Octavia! Donation by Karl & Katherine on 14/06/11 |
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Go Forest Go! Lots of love from Lol and Edmund. Donation by Edmund Vickers on 10/06/11 |
£100.00 + £25.00 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £19,233.00 |
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| Offline donations: | £18,950.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £38,183.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £3,408.75 |
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Find out
how much it is and what we do for it.