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| Money Floods in For Little Megan |
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| Optic Nerve Hypoplasia | |||
| Vineri, 02 Mai 2008 06:59 | |||
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There are no translations available. Source: Bel Fast Media  By Gemma Burns The parents of a blind little girl desperate to raise funds for pioneering surgery that could partially restore her sight say they have been "overwhelmed" by the spirit of generosity in West Belfast. St James' mum Leanne Traynor said the young family are stunned that the level of support readers of the Andersonstown News have shown them has meant they have raised £10,000 in the space of just eight days. Little Megan Traynor was born with septo-optic dysplasia, an extremely rare brain condition which means she is blind, suffering from epilepsy and diabetes, as well as having learning difficulties and a growth hormone deficiency. Her only hope of being able to see is high-tech stem cell therapy being pioneered in China using cells from an umbilical cord. The family needed to raise over £30,000 to fund the operation and since the story first appeared in the Andersonstown News they have been inundated with donations and outpourings of support from the community. Mum Leanne, who is pregnant with her second child, said most of the cash and offers of help to them has come from readers of this newspaper. "Our story appeared in the Andersonstown News two weeks ago and eight days ago we got Megan's charity account up and running and there is £10,000 in it already, we just can't believe it," she said. "The amount of people phoning and offering help has just been amazing, we can't thank them enough. It seems that most of the people who are donating are from the local area and read it in the Andersonstown News, it’s been fantastic. Fold residents went round doors collecting money, I know even a blind woman herself went out to collect. Doorsteps "My next door neighbour Cecilia went out round the doors with her friend and got over £1,000 just on doorsteps alone and there have been so many more people who have given generously that we can't thank them all individually but we are overwhelmed by how good they have been. "The shop Cardland are going to give us 50 per cent of the profits they make in a weekend in July and staff of Bon Marché are going to fundraise for us too. It’s just unbelievable how good people are." The family are now desperate to raise the other £20,000 that could help five-year-old Megan have a better quality of life. They have arranged a fundraising night in the West club with all proceeds going to Megan's appeal. "The operation would make all the difference to Megan who has been so brave through everything. If we could get the rest of the money raised we would just be over the moon," said Leanne. "We are having a night in the West Club on 6 June and the tickets are just £5 with free entertainment, It would be great if we could get all the tickets sold to help the appeal. I can't thank the people of West Belfast enough for all they have done for us." Tickets for the fundraising night in the West club are available in the club now priced £5. To donate to Megan's appeal at the Halifax building society her account number is 00789720 and sort-code 110976, account name Megan Traynor.
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