A woman who lost her fiancé at the start of the pandemic has launched a fundraising appeal to help her four-year-old daughter walk.
Jennifer Faulds, 45, needs £35,000 to cover the specialised physiotherapy young Ella will need after an operation.
Ella and her twin Aaron were born prematurely at 26 weeks, and she was diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy at the age of two.
The youngster currently uses a walker to get around - but treatment could help give her more independence.
Jennifer, an IT project manager, has relocated back to Bearsden to be near her mum following the sudden death of partner Alex Williams, 47, in May last year - just before the family were set to move into their dream home in London.
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She explained: “Alex had heart problems which were being monitored but his hospital check-up just before he died was cancelled due to Covid. One day he went round to his old flat which he still owned and never came back. His brother found him dead with the TV still on.
“I realised I would need more support, especially with Ella’s surgery coming up, so once I’d checked that her needs could be catered for here, I cancelled the house purchase and have temporarily moved in with my mother while I look for something to buy.
“People have been incredibly helpful – I recently bought Ella a special trike but it was in Portsmouth and the delivery charges I was being quoted were shocking. But then The Home Removals Company who looked after our move from London to Scotland offered to bring it up for free – even picking it up from Portsmouth.”
Jennifer describes Ella as a ‘typical four-year-old’ who loves Paw Patrol and PJ Masks, as well as putting on shows for her family. She also loves horse riding with Riding for the Disabled.
Jennifer added: “Her brother Aaron is very sweet and gentle with her, bringing her things that she can’t easily get for herself.
“But it is frustrating for her not being able to do everything he is able to do and while she will never be able to do everything he does, the operation and following physio may allow her to walk independently and enable her to do so much more.”
Following her operation, Ella will need private physio up to five times a week for at least two years.
Children’s charity Tree of Hope have stepped in, as they help families fundraise for healthcare needs, and CEO Gill Gibb said: “We are delighted to be supporting Jennifer in her fundraising and wish her and her family all the best.”
To donate to Ella’s physio fundraiser, visit her Tree of Hope page.
