Fundraising for Abigail reaches £20,000 –

Fundraising at Currys Megastore Cribbs Causeway for Footsteps4Abigail. Photo shows Abigail and the team getting ready to fundraise the weekend away. A fantastic £1,923 was raised over the 2 days thanks to the support of friends and Currys staff.

Like 5 year old Toby Cox earlier this year (see previous web stories), 9 year old Abigail Newton Smith is trying to raise £36,000 to pay for an operation in the USA that is not available here in the UK. This operation will help her to walk, something she is currently unable to do. Mum, Carrie tell us “we have been good friends with the Cox family since Toby was a baby. When Toby’s mum Donna first discovered the Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy Surgery performed by Dr Park at the St Louis Children’s Hospital Missouri, it sounded too good to be true! I couldn’t understand why on earth we weren’t doing it here in the UK! In December we are therefore taking Abigail to St Louis to have the same surgery as Toby has had. St Louis is the world leader on SDR surgery and the results are astounding. The surgeon there, Dr T S Park, predicts that Abigail’s sitting and standing postures will improve. Her walking will improve significantly. Eventually she will be able to walk with crutches in all environments. She will have more energy and a greater endurance. He also says she will be able to walk in doors by herself. This could mean she will be able to live on her own when grown up.”

The £36,000 is the cost of the operation alone. The family will be funding all the flights and accommodation for the month stay in the USA themselves. A massive £20,000 has been raised so far with the community’s help!

Carrie Newton Smith, Abigail mum is pictured at the back alongside Toby Cox’s mum Donna who was giving the campaign her support, along with Toby who spent some of his time walking around the store unaided and even left his stick behind because he simply didn’t need it!

The second of the Currys Fun Weekends has been confirmed as 16 and 17 October. Abigail and Carrie would love to see you there!

Other upcoming fundraisers inlcude:

Friday 24 Sept Quiz Night in aid of footstep4abigail.com
£20 for teams of 4-6 persons. Pay on Door. Cash Bar. 7pm-7.30pm start. Raffle. All Welcome. Venue: Bowsland Green Primary School, Ellicks Close, Bradley Stoke, Bristol. Contact Carrie 01454 615 384 to confirm a place.

Friday 22 October Funny Feet Day All over Bristol we are asking businesses, organisations and schools to come to work or school in odd shoes or socks for the day and donate a £1 to the footsteps4abigail campaign. Please contact Carrie 01454 615 384 if your school or place of work would like to participate in this one off event. We need the community’s support!

Saturday 23 October Footsteps4Abigail Charity Ball at the Hilton Hotel, Bradley Stoke. Tickets £35 per person, includes reception drinks, 3 course dinner, dancing, raffle and auction. Contact Carrie 01454 615 384 to reserve a ticket.

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