Story
FINOLA GOES BALD FOR THE LITTLE PRINCESS TRUST 17th August 2020 @ 2PM PILRIG PARK (access from Pilrig Street), Edinburgh
(donations are requested for adaptations to the replacement Finola Trust van)
The Finola Trust van (20 years old) is on its final year .. however we want to share with you some WONDERFUL NEWS heard just prior to the UK lock-down. A truly kind and generous person has donated a brand new Business Plus Renault Master Long Wheelbase Van to the Finola Trust
THIS MEANS OUR TARGET IS NOW ADAPTATION COSTS How much will we have to raise? Although costs are currently not confirmed we understand it could be in the region of £20,000 (as at 24.7.20)
HOW MUCH HAVE WE RAISED TO DATE? £11,679.75 we are aiming to raise £8,400 What is the total raised to date? £6,965 Using all of our Finola Tust reserves we are so nearly there! £1,435 still needed to make the total of £20,000
Finola wants to help raise money towards adapting the new van herself and so has come up with this idea.
I want to help children who are less fortunate than myself. I want to have my head shaved fully so I can give as much hair as possible and help children to have some real hair
She has beautiful thick hair that she has been growing (and now is continuing to grow!) and wants to donate it to the Little Princess Trust https://www.littleprincesses.org.uk The Trust helps provide wigs for children with cancer. They have announced that currently they have a shortage of long hair donations ...
FINOLA'S GREAT NEWS IS her hair is currently measuring 19 inches! She wants to ensure that she gives as much hair as possible and so has requested that she is shaved bald. We were hoping to have this completed during the warmer month of May however owing to COVID-19 we have had to wait until the Princess Trust was able to operate once more. This is now happening so the date is official.... Finola WILL have all her hair shaved off!
What has the current Finola Trust van done to enhance Finola's life?
1. PHYSIOTHERAPY - Every other week Finola along with necessary equipment is taken to Bobath Scotland (now known as Cerebral Palsy Scotland) located in Glasgow to receive very necessary physiotherapy. Without physiotherapy and correct supporting equipment there is a real risk of PAIN, CONTRACTURES, deterioration of her HEALTH. Finola is currently on no medication at all.
2. ENABLING FREEDOM & CHOICE- to be able to visit people and places, shopping, going out with ease
3. TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF GOING ON HOLIDAY - to date Finola has been to Kielder Water and The Calvert Trust for activity holidays and In 2017 had a HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME. It took 2 years of planning and with the help of wonderful friends, the Finola Trust van was driven to Tuscany and Finola had her first ever abroad holiday.
4. FREEDOM TO TAKE FRIENDS - to be able to go places with friends as the Finola Trust van can accommodate two wheelchairs To live and experience life with friends.
5. In 2009 - 2012 FINOLA ATTENDED PORTLAND COLLEGE, NOTTINGHAM FOR AN INDEPENDENCE & DAILY LIVING RESIDENTIAL COURSE - without the van we could not have been able to even consider this. We had to raise half the costs of the college fees and at the same time campaigned for specialist further education for others in Scotland.
6. FINOLA'S NUMEROUS APPOINTMENTS - taking Finola to her appointments would become very complicated and time consuming.
7. SOCIAL OCCASIONS - theatre, Fringe etc would become very difficult to attend without the van
The Finola Trust van has ensured that Finola has had choice. Without the freedom of the vehicle life would become extremely difficult very quickly. Without regular physiotherapy her body would change rapidly; she would become very limited in what she could do. She and her golden retriever would not be able to enjoy the variety of walks and locations that currently we can give them both. Taking Finola shopping would become impossible. Taking Finola to her appointments would become very complicated. Finola would lose the flexibility of being able 'to do' something 'last minute'.
We only have until the end of 2020 to get the replacement van adapted and we know there are many many wonderful causes and people in very difficult situations owing to COVID-19 so we thank you from the bottom of our hearts if you are able to help at all.
With grateful thanks to you from Finola and her mummy, Henrietta
