A devoted dad says it will be the best Christmas present ever to see his little girl walk after an astonishing £80,000 was raised to help her realise her dream.
Arabella Green will travel to Poland next month for surgery that dad William Green hopes will mean she can take her first steps on Christmas Day.
Arabella (5), known as Ella, was diagnosed with arthrogryposis as a baby, a condition that means she has to use a wheelchair.
Dad William pledged to do everything he could to help his daughter walk and this week the cost of treatment for Arabella has been met – after an Edinburgh couple donated a massive £50,000 to the fund.
She will now travel to the European Paley Institute for surgery on October 25, carried out by Dr David Feldman, who has also agreed to reduce the cost of the operation.
William, from Bathgate, continued the fight to help Arabella walk after her mum Catherine tragically took her own life earlier this year and launched the fundraising campaign.
He has travelled around the UK raising money and an anonymous couple donated £50,000, saying they wanted to help him hit the £80,000 target.
William said he is “speechless” and said that the people in West Lothian had taken Arabella into their hearts.
He also paid tribute to Ella’s late mum, saying she would be “looking down with the biggest smile on her face”. He said: “Ella says she’s got a good feeling she’s going to walk for Christmas. With intense rehabilitation and intense physiotherapy, from what Dr Feldman said, it’s possible.
“What a Christmas present that would be. Not just for her, but for the whole family. The fight for Ella has taken over the grief of losing her mum.”
William is amazed at the amount of money raised for his daughter in the 10 weeks since he launched the fundraiser and was left “speechless” when the anonymous couple offered to step in and donate the last £50,000.
He continued: “I’m overwhelmed. It’s taken a while for it to really sink in.
“The couple hasn’t just donated the £50,000, they’ve given me advice and have been helping me too. I don’t know their background, but they are passionate and very kind people.
“Speechless, wasn’t the word!
“People in West Lothian have really taken Ella to their hearts.
“Everywhere we go, people know her. We really can’t thank everyone enough.”
The Gofundme page set up by William will continue to accept donations to pay for her rehabilitation and the cost of staying in Poland.
To donate click here.
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