Help Us Give Frankie the Freedom to Explore

Meet our amazing Frankie! She is 9 years old, turning 10 in June, and is one of the strongest, most determined little girls you could ever meet.

Despite facing significant challenges throughout her life, Frankie continues to amaze us every day with her resilience, courage and determination. Now, we're hoping to give her a little more freedom and independence by raising funds for an all-terrain e-trike that would open up a whole new world of adventures.

Frankie is a twin and was born prematurely at 32 weeks following a complicated pregnancy affected by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Shortly after birth, she spent almost four weeks in neonatal intensive care before finally coming home.

As Frankie grew, it became clear that she was missing some developmental milestones. At 18 months old, following months of investigations and support from medical professionals, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Since then, Frankie has worked incredibly hard to overcome the many challenges she faces. She has undergone two major operations to improve her mobility, including selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery in 2023 to reduce the muscle stiffness caused by cerebral palsy. In 2026, she underwent further surgery to help support her feet and improve her walking.

Frankie has also been diagnosed with ADHD and lives with visual impairments that affect her eyesight.

Through it all, she continues to tackle every obstacle with determination and a smile.

Frankie loves being outdoors and spending time with her family. Like any child, she wants to explore, play, and join in with the adventures her siblings enjoy.

However, the world isn't always accessible.

Frankie uses crutches for shorter distances and a wheelchair for longer journeys. While her wheelchair works well on smooth, accessible surfaces, it struggles on grass, gravel, woodland paths and sandy beaches.

When she was younger, we could carry her when places weren't accessible. As she's grown older, that's no longer practical or safe.

As a result, there are many family activities that Frankie simply cannot take part in. While her siblings run ahead, explore woodland trails or play in the park, Frankie is often left watching from the sidelines.

Sometimes she quietly says, "I wish I could do that too."

As parents, hearing those words is heartbreaking.

It's not a lack of determination holding Frankie back. It's the barriers created by inaccessible terrain and limited mobility equipment.

We are raising funds towards an all-terrain e-trike costing £8,870.

This isn't simply a piece of equipment. It is an opportunity for Frankie to enjoy greater independence and be part of the family adventures she currently misses out on.

An all-terrain e-trike would allow Frankie to:

Visit the beach again, something she hasn't been able to do for many years.

Enjoy woodland walks with the family and our dog.

Explore parks and outdoor spaces alongside her siblings.

Build confidence and independence by accessing places that are currently out of reach.

Create memories with friends and family without constantly worrying about accessibility.

Most importantly, it would help Frankie experience the simple joys of childhood that so many of us take for granted.

The total cost of the e-trike is £8,870.

We have already secured funding towards the cost through a payment plan and have raised an incredible £900 thanks to the generosity of family and friends.

We are now hoping to raise the remaining £3,535 needed for the deposit so that Frankie can begin enjoying the freedom and independence this specialist equipment will provide.

Every donation, no matter how big or small, will bring Frankie one step closer to exploring the world with confidence and joining in with the adventures she loves.

Thank you for helping us give Frankie the chance to say:

"I can do that too."

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, then the funds will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects. If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.