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As you get older things happen that can make you more appreciative of how lucky you are, and every now and again certain specific events make you look at life and health in particular. Recently, I have had two such events with friends, both significant and life changing, and I have the opportunity of trying to help one of them. This is Holly, the daughter of my friends. Holly is now two and a half, and until recently they thought she was just a little slow in developing in certain areas. And then she was diagnosed with Rett’s Syndrome, a condition I had never heard of and I’ll guess you hadn’t either. Please look it up ….. <a href="http://www.reverserett.org.uk/">http://www.reverserett.org.uk/</a> <span style="color: #ff99cc; line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">“Rett’s Syndrome............ Imagine the symptoms of autism, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's, epilepsy, and anxiety disorders…all in one little girl” <span style="color: #ff99cc; line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <span style="color: #ff99cc; line-height: 140%; font-family: "Arial Black","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Can you imagine that? Retts is a severe neurological disorder affecting girls. Although rare, it is the most common genetic cause of severe disability within females and causes sufferers to be entirely dependent each and every day. She will need 24-hour care for the rest of her life and will be unable to walk, talk or even use her hands. What she always will do is laugh and smile and give love…..in order to make her life as comfortable as possible though she will need specialist equipment like wheelchairs and beds and also expert medical attention and therapies<span style="color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 140%; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">. Devastating. But once you get over that, there are things that can be done to support Holly and her family. They are raising funds culminating in an evening event at the end of September and I’m challenging myself to raise £1,000 by cycling 110 miles in a day from Hampshire to Holly’s home in Gloucestershire. The most I have cycled in one day is 70 miles so this will be a challenge for me, but I’m willing to do more over two days if people want to suggest a target with an accompanying increased donation. I’m sending this to everyone I know, some better than others, asking for a few pounds to help Holly. It’s not about the size of donation; if everyone who receives this gives a small amount I will hit my target (probably what you have down the back of your sofa or lying around in your car). If you can give more, then Holly and her family will benefit. My fundraising page is <a href="http://www.justgiving.com/Phil-Ratcliffe">http://www.justgiving.com/Phil-Ratcliffe</a> If you make a donation on behalf of Holly, thank you. She can’t say that, she has Retts. Thanks for reading.

Phil's page for Holly

Phil's page for Holly

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