HELP NEEDED FOR DOVER CARNIVAL
- 5 June 2009 01:0722780Hi all. I have a super duper special request which I need forumite help with.
I need an open top car to seat 3 passengers for Dover Carnival Day.
I have just received news that a VERY special young lady will be joining us to be an honorary princess for the day
The young lady is called Hayley Okines and she suffers with a very rare condition called Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome.
There are only 53 children world wide and only 2 children in the UK with the terminal illness. It is a severe ageing disorder where the body ages 8 times quicker so a child of 8 has the appearance of an 80 year old. The average life of a child with progeria is 13. The body ages however the child still has the normal attributes you would associate with say an 8 year old.
Hayley has been on many TV shows over the last few years, and cannot fail to impress you with her super character, and DCAL just wanted to give her a special day as a princess.
Anyone who thinks they can help please contact me via DF or call me on 07867973029 or email me - 10 June 2009 07:4523140Hi Mandie
Did you manage to get the car you wanted, I wandered if a wedding venue car from the firms that do them would sponsor a car, for that special person
Sheila - 10 June 2009 07:5023143Mandie I meant to add, if you would like to bring her along, when Elvis is on, I'm sure he would love to serenade her, might also make her day brighter
- 10 June 2009 07:5223144good for you sheila the ever present community champion
- 10 June 2009 08:0223145Hi all, Kent Vintage wedding cars have offered us the use of a 1932 Aston Le Mans for Hayley. Although the car is free of charge we will have to find £70 to cover the cost of the petrol, as I am told these very old cars are not very economical.
Sheila what a lovely,lovely gesture. Hayley is without doubt a super,super young lady. We are not quite sure what time she will be arriving as yet, but I will certainly mention it to her mum when I speak with her later this week.
I know you will all fall in love with this amazing young lady as much as DCAL have. Her honorary sash is now ready for her kindly made for us by Jacetts at Deal who are our normal supplier so huge thanks to them for that.
Carnival parade is looking pretty great at the moment if all those who have said they are coming and taking part turn up. Lots of new entries this year, so pretty excited all round.
Lv Mand xx - 10 June 2009 16:2823196Mandie
Glad you got car sorted, the Priory Forum would like to contribute £30 toward the cost of the petrol, also Councillor Marion Munt will add £5 and I will add something extra
Sheila - 10 June 2009 16:5823200Thanks you so much Sheila and Cllr Munt. I did receive an e-mail earlier from Cllr John Goodwin who has offered to pay the full £70 for the petrol for the car. John you really are a star.
Sheila I would still happily accept both donations if you are willing to donate, as I am hoping to be able to raise a good amount of money via the carnival raffle and street collection to be able to make a sizable donation to Hayley and the other little girl who has the same condition Ashanti, so that it will at least help ease the burden of travel expenses to the US for their treatment.
I am now targetting as many local businesses as possible for raffle prizes, to help boost the fund.
People can say what they like about Dover, but ya know what?? It warms my heart that we have so many kind and generous people willing to offer help. THANKYOU ALL xxx - 10 June 2009 17:0823203Money will still be forthcoming, an offer is an affer and still stands
Sheila - 17 June 2009 19:2123841Hi all Just a quick update.
I spoke to hayley's mum earlier this evening and Hayley is super excited about coming to Dover on July 4th.
DCAL have decided that all the proceeds from our carnival day raffle will be going to Hayley and the other little girl Ashanti to help toward travel costs their families have to find for each 6 week US visit. I have spent today typing letters asking for raffle prizes as I would love to be able to raise £1000 to help.
If anyone would like to make a monetary donation please make cheques payable to Hayley Okines. If you need my address please e-mail me at mandielaw1966@hotmail.com.
I know things are difficult for lots of people right now, but for me hayley puts everything into perspective, and every penny helps.
One of our majorette troupes who are attending carnival. Medway silver stars have also agreed to split any money they make at their PJ party on the 2nd July between themself and Hayley. Which is a wonderful gesture, so WELL DONE TO THEM They are also going to give her, her own set of cheerleading pom poms
What wonderful people I know.