Lyneham Primary Year Ones band together to raise funds for classmate’s surgery

Phoebe Dakin and her identical twin Mia, now age 6, were born ten weeks early. Phoebe suffered a bleed on the brain in her early days, was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair user.

Mum Rachel Dakin, 33, a paediatric nurse, originally from Carmarthen and now living in Lyneham with her husband Wyn, an army transport officer said: ‘Phoebe loves to play games like Uno, to help around the house and to play with her little sister Bella.’

‘We’ve been offered a lifeline as Phoebe has been assessed as a suitable candidate for a life changing procedure called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR). This procedure would reduce the muscle tightness that causes Phoebe pain and limits her movement. With SDR and intensive physiotherapy, there’s a real hope Phoebe will gain more control of her movements, build strength and most importantly achieve more independence and confidence.

Unfortunately, for Phoebe the SDR is not funded by the NHS, and the total cost—including surgery, rehabilitation, and essential therapies—is going to be at least £40,000.’

The family has already raised nearly half the funds through a series of events and company sponsorship. As well as the Junior Park Run, other forthcoming events include Wyn and some colleagues taking on a half marathon in Llanelli, a group doing the CarTen 100 mile cycle ride in May and a bingo night at Lyneham Community Centre on Nov 23.

Rachel added: ‘We are so grateful to everyone who has taken on events for us and everyone who has donated – every penny counts! We are hoping Phoebe can have her surgery next summer as the younger she is, the better.’

‘She often wakes in the night with leg cramps and we expect it to help alleviate that. And at the moment, while she is a wheelchair user, she can walk a short distance using a frame. After the operation she will be very weak and well need intensive physio – the first two years are the most important – but we hope that in time she will be able to walk much further too.’

The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope, which helps families raise money for children and young people like Phoebe 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 Phoebe’s benefit from gift aid, corporate support while also providing donor reassurance.

To find out more about Phoebe or contribute to her fund, visit https://www.treeofhope.org.uk/get-involved/childrens-campaigns/help-phoebe-walk-with-confidence-fund-life-changing-surgery/