My name is Nastya and I am 5 years old. Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

I was abandoned when I was born because the doctors said I was going to die and it would be best for me to stay in hospital.  In Belarus it is usual for babies born with disabilities to be abandoned.  I had a very large head, protruding eyes, severe breathing difficulties, and fused hands and feet.  I was very lonely on my own in my cot all day in the abandoned baby unit.

Leaves of Hope charity workers spotted me there.  They wanted to give me a chance and got permission to find a foster home for me.  I was the first abandoned baby, and the first disabled baby to be placed in a foster home in Belarus.  And then my Mummy and Daddy saw me on television and I was able to go back and live with them.  I have been so lucky

Medical tests have confirmed that I have Apert's Syndrome.  This condition is not known in Belarus .  It is a serious condition and I need specialist treatment.  The Consultants at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children in London have examined me and told my Mummy that I am going to need an operation on my skull to relieve the pressure on my brain.  It is going to be very expensive.  If I do not have the surgery the pressure will build in my brain and I will become very much more disabled and will probably die. So we need to raise £30,000 to pay for the surgery.

Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

For more information about Nastya please visit: www.leaves-of-hope.co.uk/latestnews

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor Nastya: 'Leaves of Hope' for Belarusian Children will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.