We are raising money for our lovely little bridesmaid Leila to have a life-changing operation. We've set out to treat our colleagues to some lovely home-made cakes, biscuits and other Greek-inspired treats on the 25th and 26th June. Together with our daughter, Jennifer, we have been testing recipes and improving our technique for the past few months so, hopefully, everyone is in for a treat. 

Special thanks go to the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Post-Doc Forum, the Research and Enterprise Directorate and Adoreboard at Queen’s University Belfast for helping organise the two coffee mornings. 

Thank you all for helping us help Leila!

Danai, Alan, Jennifer

Leila’s Story

Leila s a bright, bubbly and outgoing 6-year-old with cerebral palsy. Leila’s CP mainly affects her legs, and thereby her ability to walk and run, but she still wants to be at the heart of everything, and loves getting stuck in to any challenge. Physiotherapists and neurosurgeons have indicated that Leila would greatly benefit from an operation called selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), which would permanently reduce the tension and tone of the muscles in Leila’s legs, and, with some intensive post-op physiotherapy, get her running, jumping, dancing and anything else she feels like! Currently the SDR operation and physio aftercare is not available on the NHS, and must be privately funded. The overall fundraising goal is to raise £35,000 for Leila to have this operation. If you can help me to help her, that would be amazing, and your contribution would last a lifetime. Every donation, large or small, counts towards our dream for Leila's future, to get her 'up and running'. 

Your money is looked after by Tree of Hope, who will ensure that all donations are used for Leila and that any Gift Aid can be collected, so your money goes further. Should we exceed the target amount (or if we do not raise enough funds, or if they cannot be used for any other reason) the funds raised will go to the general funds of Tree of Hope to assist other sick children.