AN EMOTIONAL plea has been made to Standard readers to help transform the life of a severely disabled girl.
Little Millie O’Conner, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, needs thousands of pounds to help create a sensory garden at her home in Abbeydale.
The five-year-old, who is unable to talk and uses a wheelchair, has access to one of the specially designed outdoor areas at her school in Bromsgrove which includes plants and features which stimulate her senses.
And after mum Emma Grantham saw the difference it made to her life she decided to start a fund-raising campaign to recreate something similar at their home.
“We have just moved into this property because it’s more accessible for her in her wheelchair as it’s a bungalow, but the garden is bog standard.” she said.
“She loves being in the garden at school, hearing things like the water feature and touching all the plants, and she can easily get around there.
“I want to do the garden a bit at a time because I know it will cost thousands because we want to put artificial grass in so she can use her wheelchair, put a ground level water feature in and fence it properly so we can have equipment hanging on the fence for her too.”
The Dolphin Road resident created a Facebook page called Millie’s Magical Garden where she asked friends for any fund-raising ideas and within a few hours messages from generous residents began flooding in.
Members of a group called Riders for Causes have offered to take part in a motorcycle ride from Wythall to Abbeydale as well as a run on March 8, while Redditch Heart Safe has also agreed to provide a bouncy castle for a fun day.
“I am overwhelmed, there are people who genuinely want to do something to help.” Emma added.
“You can feel on your own when you have a child with a disability, so it is amazing to have that support.
“It is really hard asking for help, you feel a bit embarrassed. If I could afford it I would, but it isn’t possible at the moment.”
Volunteers to help run stalls at the fun day and contribute other fund-raising ideas are still needed as well as donations of raffle prizes.
Anyone interested in supporting the cause should visit www.facebook.com/milliesmemories to get in touch with Emma or for more information.
