Strangers raise £1k for poorly St Leonards girl

Nine-year-old Isabelle ‘Izzie’ Everest needs regular physio to keep her mobile due to her diplegia cerebral palsy and her mother Paula used to do the exercises with her.

But Paula has spina bifida occult and a recent operation means she can no longer do it with her, so the Everests are raising money for a ‘cabin’ at their home on Aspen Close, St Leonards, where Izzie can do her physiotherapy.

Campaign group 52 Lives founder Jaime Thurston saw Izzie’s story and decided to help by encouraging its supporters to donate.

In 10 days, £1,105 was raised which will go a long way to paying for an exercise bike, treadmill and more for Izzie.

“I’m amazed by the people who have donated from just seeing a picture and reading her story,” Paula said.

“Now we’ll be able to buy her physiotherapy and the equipment.”

Despite Izzie’s illness, she has defied the odds as she swims, attends Brownies, is an orange belt in judo, and does an enormous amount of fundraising for disabled children.

Operations and physiotherapy keep Izzie mobile but Paula’s illness means the family will have to pay more for a private therapist to work with her.

The Everests want to build the ‘cabin’ in the back garden for Izzie to do the physio and the money raised will go a long way to making it a reality.

Jaime said she wanted to get involved as soon as she read about Izzie and believed her group could help them.

So 52 Lives featured Izzie’s story for a week, asking its supporters to donate to the Just Giving page, and within 10 days the target was reached. Jaime described Izzie as an ‘incredible little girl’ and was happy to help.

To donate visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Izzieonestepatatime.

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