In June 2017, at just 10 months old, Margot was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital after being struck down with a mystery illness. After enduring a series of tests over a number of weeks, Margot was finally diagnosed with the very rare, very cruel disease Alpers for which there is no cure.

Margot celebrated her 1st birthday in hospital and more devastating is that this was also to be her last as Margot sadly left us on 26th October 2017.

Margot's mum Toyah has been absolutely inspirational throughout this journey, the bond that these two shared was clearly visible to everyone and the love they had for one another shone. Along the way, she has been supported by all her family and friends but her mum Pat has not left her side. You can see where Toyah gets her maternal devotion from. The love and dedication that these two have showered on Margot over these last few months whilst having to handle Margot's illness has been nothing short of remarkable, staying strong always and it's been heart breaking to witness.

A crowdfunding page has already been set up to alleviate the financial burden that Toyah has had to face in giving up work briefly to care for Margot.

The purpose of this page is being set up to hopefully raise just enough initially to provide for a memorial bench (or similar) whereby Toyah and friends can go to and reflect on Margot - her time on earth was only short but in that time, she captured a lot of hearts (mine included).

Today I was asked on Facebook to do some drawings and a couple of friends offered cash. I'm not a serious artist but thought I would be more than happy to do the drawings in return for a small donation.

I'll be looking into other fundraising opportunities until we reach the total.

It would be nice in time to explore creating some annual event whereby we raise money that can be donated towards finding a cure for Alpers or towards one of the establishments that cared for Margot.

Thank you for reading xx