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WHAT IS THE APPEAL FOR?

We are appealing to your compassion and generosity in order to help Rahma; a young, Algerian girl aged 11*, who is suffering from severe Scoliosis (see links posted on the "wall" of the facebook page, including BBC article). On the 12th of March, Rahma undertook a scan (costing around £920) at the Cromwell Hospital in London, following which she will have her 13th operation and hopefully the last one later this summer. We understand that the cost of the procedure is estimated at around £25,000. A top and generous surgeon, Mr. David S. Marks, flies from the US to perform this series of major operations on Rahma in order to straighten her spine. He personally does not charge much Rahma’s parents to perform the operations; the cost is mostly that of the hospital facilities and other consultants (respiratory and orthopedists). Rahma was 2 years old when the first one of these operations took place at the HCI hospital, a private hospital in Clydebank in Scotland, and all this was made possible because of people's caring, compassion and generosity. 

Without this help, Rahma's parents would not have been able to afford even a fraction of any of these operations. They have been living in the UK in very basic conditions and as temporary immigrants since 2001. Rahma's urgent need to continue these operations got us to act quickly; the immediate aim is to help raising the much-needed funds for her imminent operation. However, we hope to carry on this campaign beyond this next operation in order to help Rahma in a more sustainable and reliable way. 

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE RESULTS OF THESE OPERATIONS SO FAR?

The operations have dramatically improved the shape of Rahma's "s-curved" spine and, in the process, her agonising condition, as well as her chances of living. So far, Rahma needed one operation every 6 months. She is due end of this summer for her final risky and pricey operation ( £25.000) to attempt to straighten her spine and hence enhance her life quality, and ensure a better future for a girl who already has been suffering for 12 years in silence.

So far with your support, we successfully raised over £9.000 through personal and individual donations, we are delighted to invite you to our fundraising walk, in spirit of the courageous little girl.

Event:

Date: Saturday 1st September 2012

Route: The Thames Path Walk, 10 km walk.

Duration: 5-6 hours (including lunch break)

Objective: To raise £7.000

The Path:

We will be taking the challenge to do The Thames Path Walk (10 k), around 5-6 hours, which needs no introduction as the main artery that runs through the beating heart of London from Hampton Court Palace, through the heart of London to the East India Dock on the north bank and the River Darent on the south bank. It will be a fun social experience and also to burn those extra pounds we piled during Ramdan.

Join us:

To sign up please message us, we ask the participants to raise £150 each, so we can achieve our target on the day. We limited the walk to 50 people, so please do notify us soon. We hope that as many of you will be able to join us on this fun day out, and for those who can’t make it, any amount you can put towards our efforts is most appreciated. It is your support that will drive us forward. Call your friends and family, lace up your shoes and get ready for a walk with a cause.

For those who can not attend our events, you can still donate by contacting the hospital direct

Again, we appeal to your sense of compassion and generosity to relieve Rahma from her agonising condition and pain. Your kindness and PASSIONATE ACTION will help and will mean so much to Rahma and her little family.

Donate here: http://www.justgiving.com/ Rahma-Fundraising-Appeal

The Rahma Reriballah Fundraising Appeal Team

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