Run, Amélie, Run!

*Latest Update 2026 * Amélie recently had a big operation to improve the positioning of her left foot, as it had become very difficult for her to weight bear. The operation went well and she is now out of her casts.

She now needs a period of intensive rehabilitation and ongoing physiotherapy to support her recovery and build on the progress she has already made.

Amélie’s original fundraising was to help fund her Innowalk, which she successfully received in 2021 thanks to your incredible support. This has made a huge difference to her strength and movement.

We are now fundraising to support Amélie with ongoing therapies, including specialist physiotherapy with Rainbow Rehabilitation, to help her continue progressing towards greater independence.

Thank you for helping Amélie keep moving forward!*

Hello, I’m Amélie, I’m now 11 years old!

In the last few years, I was diagnosed with Xia-Gibbs syndrome through the 100,000 Genomes Project. It’s a very rare condition that was only discovered in 2014, and there are only a few hundred cases worldwide.

Thanks to your incredible support, I was able to receive an INNOWALK in 2021. This is a motorised system that helps me move my feet, legs, hips, and arms in a way similar to a cross trainer. It has made a huge difference to my strength, movement and overall development.

I would love to be able to walk (and maybe even run!) independently one day, and nothing would give me a greater sense of pride and independence.

I have been making really good progress at school, where my physios and teachers are helping me improve my walking and core strength. I am now able to stand while leaning against support and can take assisted steps around school and at home.

When I first trialled the INNOWALK, I completed 400 metres in 20 minutes on my first day. With continued use, I was able to reach a personal best of 8km in just under 2 hours! My parents are extremely proud of me – and I’m not stopping there!

The INNOWALK has helped me build strength in my legs, tummy and upper body by allowing me to move in a natural walking motion. Before this, I struggled to stand for long periods as my legs would get tired quickly in a fixed standing frame.

My physios have noticed a big difference in my ability to walk with support, even in a short space of time. They say I have made huge steps towards becoming more independent, and I am now able to walk across a room holding just one hand.

More recently, I had a big operation to improve the positioning of my left foot, as it had become very difficult for me to weight bear. The operation went well, but I now need ongoing physiotherapy and rehabilitation to help me recover and continue building on the progress I’ve made.

This next stage is really important for me.

We are now fundraising to support my ongoing therapies, including specialist physiotherapy with Rainbow Rehabilitation, to help me continue improving my strength, mobility and independence.

My mum and dad say that therapies like this not only help me physically, but also help me sleep better and feel more comfortable, which makes a big difference for our whole family.

They also find it difficult to take part in large fundraising activities, as they spend most of their time supporting me and my younger brother Freddy, who is now 8 years old.

Every donation, no matter how small, will help me continue my journey.

Thank you so much for your kindness and support – it truly means the world to me and my family.

Amélie x

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 objects, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.