A FOUR-year-old Warrington girl is probably the youngest fundraiser involved in a desperate race to raise more than £6 million to save a baby hospice from closure.
Evie Withington, from Great Sankey has raised more than £5,312 towards the £6.4 million target that must be raised by November 9 to save Zoe’s Place baby hospice in West Derby, Liverpool, from closure.
She has completed 98 laps of a caravan park where her Mum and Dad have a holiday home – driving a miniature Land Rover Discovery even though she suffers from a rare gene condition which affects her brain and causes developmental delay, epilepsy, dystonia and means she is non-verbal and can’t sit up or walk.
It is believed there are only four children in the UK who suffer from the condition, Alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AARS).
Evie’s tiny battery-powered car has been provided by Hatfield Land Rover, Liverpool, who have donated a second car for other children to use.
She drives it with a little help from Mum and Dad Claire and Graham Withington.
Zoe’s Place works to ensure children who are unwell can enjoy the best possible quality of life, while also supporting their families.
Claire said: “The service Zoe’s Place provides is a lifeline. We get so much from the service, it’s not only respite, it’s like a second home. They do things for parents such as counselling, massage therapies and sibling days to help the wider family.
“It is no important now to spread the word and raise money to keep Zoe’s Place open.”
You can done to the JustGiving page Claire has set up by visiting www.justgiving.com/page/claire-withington-1712740635103
But many local people are also helping Evie raise money, including Stitch Station, on Station Road, Great Sankey, where there are collection pots and a knit and natter group have knitted wind spinners. There are also collection pots at the Trigger Pond pub.
Zoe’s Place has to relocate and plans to move into new premises on the site of a former bowling club in West Derby.
But various delays, including the time it took to get planning permission, have seen the cost rocket.
Evie in her tiny Land Rover
