Hello everyone,

In 2018, our little miracle Esther was born a happy, healthy baby and life was perfect. For 14 months, we enjoyed all the usual moments as a family — until everything changed in November 2019. A sudden illness left Esther severely unwell. She lost weight rapidly and, within days, could no longer walk, talk, or swallow. We were devastated.

After nearly four weeks in Addenbrooke’s Hospital with no answers, genetic tests revealed an extremely rare immune deficiency. We were rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she underwent more scans, surgery for a Hickman Line, and eventually a brain biopsy.

The results shattered us. Esther had contracted one of the rarest viruses in the world, which caused encephalitis. Only seven known cases existed none had survived. We were told to prepare for the worst and transferred to a children’s hospice.

Miraculously, after two weeks, we brought Esther home — something we never thought possible. Slowly, against all odds, she began to stabilize. Today, she continues to fight bravely every day.

Esther now lives with severe disabilities — epilepsy, vision impairment, no speech, and no voluntary movement — but she is full of joy, humour, and light. She’s truly our inspiration.

We are looking to get Esther a specialist car seat and to help her back to private physiotherapy where she had been showing amazing progress. In the future we will have a second campaign to adapt our family home to suit Esther’s needs.

We know times are tough, and asking for help has not been easy, but anything you can give means the world.

Thank you for reading and supporting our journey with Esther, our shining star, our world!

Charlie, Dom, Esther & Dottie

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