Thank you for taking the time to visit my RAFA JustGiving page.

Hello, my name is Molly. I live in a town called Penistone, just outside of Sheffield. 

I am 9 years old and I was born with Type One Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Let me tell you about my SMA. It’s a form of Motor Neurone disease, and I am a full-time wheelchair user. I know I will never walk, stand, or even sit without support, and in my life I have already had two 10-hour surgeries at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. I have had my spine straightened with metal rods, both hips reconstructed, and more emergency admissions than I can remember. Sometimes I need a special mask-and-air to help me breathe, and lots of other kit to get me through each day.

The NHS is incredible and has saved my life. But when I was very little, we needed more specialist equipment to improve the quality of my life. That was when my Dad Julian, who formerly served in the RAF as an Aircraft Mechanic, and volunteered with the RAF Leuchars Mountain Rescue Team in Scotland, asked RAFA for help. This was something he never thought he would ever need to do.

Dad didn’t expect the incredible response and generosity we have received. RAFA have supported me in so many ways; including my 1^st wheelchair-accessible vehicle, meaning I could go out in my chair for the first time beyond my hometown. They also helped provide a specialist bath, lowering me safely and comfortably into the
water – which is lovely after all the pain of my surgeries.         

It is difficult to put into words, how grateful we are to RAFA, and we want to give something back.

Over the weekend of Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th May 2022, our family will be taking on an amazing challenge at the English Institute of Sport & Olympic Legacy Park, in Sheffield. My Dad, Julian, will be aiming to cover 100 solo miles on foot, in a continuous 24 hour period – no sleep allowed! This is a massive and genuine challenge, as he has never done this sort of distance or endurance before.

While Dad is completing his 100 long miles, I will be taking on my own challenge! My Mum, May, my big sister Anya (aged 11) and my little brother Edmund (7) will be helping me. Together, we will be completing 84 laps of the 220m indoor track on my Duet Tandem Wheelchair bicycle. Each lap will represent a night I have spent in
Critical Care.

“Molly’s 100 + 84 Miles” is a huge undertaking for the whole family, and we are all very excited (but a little bit nervous too!). We know that every step, every cycle, and every minute will be for an incredibly worthy cause, that is so close to our hearts. 

Here’s a little bit about the RAF Association …….

RAFA supports the whole RAF community, which includes all those who are serving, those who have served, and their families, when they are in need. This includes physical, practical, and psychological care.  Following the difficulties we have all faced these past couple of years with the pandemic, the charity really needs as much support as it can get, as it finds itself helping even more people.

Men, women and people sign up for the RAF to protect our country. I want to show them that when they are in need, there is someone they can turn to.  

I am hoping that our challenge will raise awareness for this great charity. If you are able to make a donation, it will be so appreciated by us and all those who are helped by the RAF Association.

Thank you!

Love from Molly xxx

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