Lions’ generous gift helps Eve on £100,000 treatment journey (From Wharfedale Observer)

Lions’ generous gift helps Eve on £100,000 treatment journey

1:30pm Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Local news By Annette McIntyre

A donation which could help transform the life of a seven-year-old girl has been given to her family this week.

Eve Williams, who suffers from quadriplegic cerebral palsy, dreams of being able to “skip, twirl and dance” like other little girls.

And it is hoped a £100,000 appeal to send Eve to the United States for treatment could bring her closer to her dream.

Last year Eve’s mum Gina and dad David, who live in Menston, launched the appeal asking the community to help them raise £100,000 to send their daughter for specialist help in America.

Now Guiseley Lions have made a contribution by presenting her with a cheque for £1,000.

The Lions made their donation toward the ‘Eve’s Journey Trust Fund’, which was set up by the little girl’s family to send her to the USA to be treated by the world renowned Dr TS Park at the St Louis Children’s Hospital.

Dr Park is a specialist in Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy, a procedure which corrects misfiring nerves, significantly improving a patient’s mobility. The procedure is followed by four weeks of intensive physiotherapy in America and further treatment back at home which could last up to five years.

At the moment Eve has severely limited mobility which means she is unable to walk, or stand on her own.

When he launched the appeal Mr Williams said: “She says she is excited but a bit scared. She is looking forward to being able to walk and skip and twirl and dance.”

“We believe the procedure will allow Eve to ultimately lead a full and fully independent life. Without the operation the chances of this are very slim.”

Eve, who goes to school in Cookridge, lives with her father, mother, and two-year-old sister, Scarlett.

Anyone wanting to contribute to Eve’s Journey fund should log on to her website www.evesjourney.co.uk.