Dance into spring for Henry at charity ball

Their annual Charity Spring Ball is taking place on Saturday March 19 at the 4* Felbridge Hotel and Spa in East Grinstead where guests will enjoy a drinks reception, fabulous food, live entertainment and dancing throughout the evening.

This yearly event offers a fun night out and with guests such as Christopher Biggins in attendance it certainly does entertain.

All the money raised on the night will go directly to the charity that supports babies and children under 5 with Cerebral Palsy and other motor learning difficulties.

Catherine Bristow, events fundraiser said : “Being a small charity we can really make a difference and guests can feel confident that by helping us by attending our events or donating they too are doing the same.

“To give you an idea of how we help, I want to share Andrew and Emma’s story whose son Henry aged 3 receives help from our charity.”

Their story

“In December 2011 my husband and I found out that we were having twins, at the time we thought that this would be the biggest challenge we would face – having two babies to look after at the same time.

“How wrong we were! Sophie came home from hospital at 2 days old but it would be another 6 long weeks and a few emergency ambulance journeys later before Henry was well enough and strong enough to make our family complete.

“When Henry came home from hospital he was on a cocktail of medication, our kitchen looked like a pharmacy!

“After a few months Sophie could hold her cup but Henry just didn’t seem interested in even trying.

“In the early days we thought he was being lazy but as he grew older we realised that there was something wrong which coincided with us being referred to the Community Paediatrician. On Henry’s first birthday we were given the all clear for the Hyperinsulinism and for his liver problems.

“This happiness was short lived. The next day we had an appointment with the Community Paediatrician who confirmed our fears. Henry had quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy.

“So our journey began, we were thrown into a world that left us bewildered, scared and unsure what to expect or even what to do to help our little boy. We discovered the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity and believed they may be able to help us so we made contact. They arranged for us to come to meet them.

“That first meeting gave us lots of hope for the future as we watched the staff play with Henry during his assessment and fortunately there was a place for Henry to start the following month.

“We really cannot thank the team at the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity enough for their support and advice to help us to help Henry reach his full potential. We want so much for other families like ours to benefit from this amazing service.

“The charity receives no statutory funding and has to raise £473,000 each year to survive. Andrew and I truly hope our story may inspire you to donate to such a fantastic and local cause and help Henry to reach his full potential.”

So if you would like to help Henry and all the other children the charity helps, then why not book today as tickets are already selling fast.

Guests will enjoy a drinks reception followed by a delicious three course meal and musical entertainment by top band ‘Fever”’ singing sensations, the Swingtime Sweethearts and Katherine Samuelson. Plus the chance to win amazing prizes at the raffle and auction.

Tickets are £75 per person (£1.50 booking fee applies if booked online or via card).

To book simply go online at www.dvlcc.org.uk or call 01403 780444 or email [email protected]

Report and picture contributed by the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity.