Yapton friends raise cash to help a little girl walk

Val Hedges, Frankie More, Tracey Hayes and Joan Hepton-Marks formed High Five Talent to put on the fundraising event for Sophie Nugent.

Sophie, four, from Angmering, has cerebral palsy which leaves her unable to walk or stand on her own because her brains sends the wrong signals to her feet to leave them permanently pointed.

She is often struck down with painful spasms.

An operation to allow her to walk and remove her pain is available in America at a cost of 40,000.

Sophie's family and friends have raised half that amount.

A fundraising campaign is on to pay the rest in time for the operation in a Missouri hospital in July.

The talent shows will form part of this community effort.

Local musician Russell Joy and Jim Rendal, a sound and stage man, are also involved.

The auditions will take place from 3pm on Sunday, (March 28), at Yapton and Ford Village Hall. This will also be the venue for the contests from 4pm-6pm on April 11, 18 and 25.

The winners will enter the grand final on May 2. Sophie will present the prizes. The overall winner will get the chance to perform in their own show at the White Horse pub in Bognor Regis.

A fifth of the proceeds from the competition will also go towards emergency repairs on the shingles on the roof of Yapton's parish church.

Application forms for the contest are available from Chichester College, St Philip Howard Catholic High School at Barnham and from Val Hedges at [email protected] or [email protected] or call 01243 554058.

Tickets can also be bought there as well as Silhouette hair salon in Yapton, The Olive Branch pub in Yapton, the Murrell Arms in Barnham and from Mrs Hedges.

They are priced 3 for seniors and disabled people, 5 adults, 7.50 for a family of three and 10 for a family of four.

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