THE family of a young girl left paralysed and unable to speak by a rare illness have been blown away by the generosity of residents who have helped raise more than £40,000 in her name in just over one week.
Poppy Smith has been in Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children for the last two months following a severe reaction to a cold-like virus.
The six-year-old was off school on September 21 due to mild cold symptoms – but the next morning was unable to swallow or move her arm.
Poppy, from Gullane, has been in hospital ever since, with the paralysis spreading to all four limbs before she was diagnosed with acute flaccid myelitis, a rare condition which affects the nervous system.
The Team Poppy appeal was launched on social media last weekend, with a fundraising target of £40,000, to raise money for specialist equipment the youngster requires.
Already, that figure has been smashed, with more than £44,500 raised.
Poppy’s dad, Mark, told the Courier: “It has been unbelievable. It is totally overwhelming and we just cannot believe the sense of community; everyone has pulled together and the generosity and support we have had is incredible.
“The people of Gullane have been amazing, absolutely amazing.”
A number of fundraisers have been held, with more being planned to further boost the total.
At the weekend, 12-year-old Ayla Adkins busked outside the village’s Co-op store and raised more than £300.
Meanwhile, a bake sale was held at Gullane Primary School, which Poppy attends with her older brother and older sister.
A raffle, with prizes donated by local businesses, is also taking place at the village’s Golf Inn on December 14.
Mark, who works in IT, added: “It is very heart-warming. We are not originally from Gullane, we are from Manchester and moved in 2010.
“All our family are helping out and everybody has rallied together to assist us. It is very humbling how much people have helped out.
“It is amazing and we have got some really good friends.”
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) causes inflammation and damage to the grey matter of the spinal cord, which means the nerves taking messages from Poppy’s brain to her muscles are not working.
Currently, there is no cure or treatment for AFM and there is very little information on what long-term recovery is possible.
Poppy is receiving supportive care for her breathing and eating and also undergoes regular intensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Her dad added: “Poppy has been working very hard and has had some movement return in her legs, hands and trunk.”
The youngster’s brain is completely unaffected and Poppy, who enjoys arts and crafts and gymnastics, understands everything that is happening to her but is unable to speak due to AFM and an endotracheal tube.
That means her parents, Mark and Laura, are reliant on lip reading to communicate with their daughter, who is in P2.
Currently, it is planned for the money to go towards specialist communication aids and other equipment, such as a wheelchair, to help Poppy.
Mark added: “We are completely overwhelmed with the support we have received from the local community, including the teachers and headmistress at Gullane Primary School.
“Also the loving care Poppy has been given from nurses and doctors at the Sick Kids.
“We would like to thank the unbelievable generosity of people who have donated and sent best wishes to Team Poppy.
“We are so grateful to everyone for the love and support at this extremely difficult time.”
Jeremy Findlay, chairman of Gullane Area Community Council, told the Courier it highlighted the community spirit in the village.
He said: “It just goes to show what can be achieved when a community like Gullane can come together when a lot of people in the village know each other.”
“It just shows the community spirit.”
The social media campaign was also highlighted in the primary school’s newsletter.
It read: “The family have been wonderfully supported by various family and friends.
“They have a long and hard road to walk and some company on the way is appreciated.
“They are in our thoughts.”
For more information or to make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/teampoppy and www.facebook.com/groups/1728061104181111
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here