Thea was born 7 weeks early, along with her twin brother Arlo. After a traumatic start to life, both of them spent over two weeks in the NICU before we could bring them home.

During her first year of life, Thea missed some milestones, such as sitting up independently, rolling over, and crawling.

Eventually, we received a diagnosis of PVL (periventricular leukomalacia), a form of brain injury that affects premature babies. This led to a further diagnosis of cerebral palsy, which predominantly impacts Thea's lower limbs and means she is unable to walk unaided. It also affects her speech, hand function, and upper body to some extent.

Thea is due to undergo life-changing surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital very soon. SDR (selective dorsal rhizotomy) is a surgical procedure designed to treat the spasticity in her legs. It is major surgery and involves a long hospital stay, along with very intense physiotherapy both before and after.

We are raising money to support Thea's strength development and recovery. This includes private physiotherapy, equipment, swimming/hydrotherapy, home adaptations, and orthotics—many of which are not available on the NHS.

There is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing your own child struggle to keep up with their peers, or ask you, "Mummy, if I do my exercises, will I walk like my friends one day?" or cry in frustration just trying to put her own shoes on.

With your help, we can support her one and only wish: to walk.

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, then the funds will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects. If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.