Colchester mum recruits 30 friends and family to fundraise for eight-year-old daughter with Brittle Bone disease

A Colchester mum has recruited thirty people to take are taking on a ’30 People for 30 Days’ challenge for her the eight-year-old daughter Winnie who has a rare condition which causes her bones to break easily.

Winne D’Arcy suffers from the genetic condition Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as Brittle Bone Disease, and has endured 100s of fractures and had around 12 operations to either try to strengthen or fix her bones. She also has autism.

Winnie’s mum Emma, 39, a personal assistant, dad Steven, 39, and their supporters fundraise constantly for house adaptations and therapies to make life more comfortable for Winnie.

Emma said: ‘‘This event is loosely based around New Year’s Resolutions. I am doing yoga every day for 30 days, others are doing Dry January or giving up chocolate, cross-stitching or painting – all sorts really! The idea is that for every day they complete they donate £1, which would be £900. But some have set up fundraising pages so we are hoping to raise a little more – around £3000.’

‘We have made the house as practical as possible for Winnie with many adaptations, as well as turning the garden into a haven where she can play when her recovery periods from her many operations make it too difficult to get out. Sometimes her cast won’t even fit in the car.’

‘We also always need to raise funds for physio and hydrotherapy, as well as new equipment such as wheelchairs as she grows.’

‘Fundraising events in the past have included everything from marathons to sunflower growing competitions and even a duck race with lots of rubber ducks floating on the river. We are always grateful to everyone who supports us and for every penny we receive.’

The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope, which helps families raise money for children and young people like Winnie for medical treatments and healthcare services not freely available to them through the NHS and social care. The charity provides fundraising guidance, campaign development, financial management, charity registration and emotional support from the Family Support team. Families like Winnie’s benefit from having the support, tools and resources to fundraise effectively as well as access to gift aid, corporate support while also providing donor reassurance.

To donate to Winnie’s fund or sponsor Emma and Sarah, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/get-involved/childrens-campaigns/winniedarcy/