Rotary Club gets in step to help Molly

Molly Grove. (s)

KIND-HEARTED Rotary Club members hope to play their part in helping a Broadway girl achieve her dreams of walking unaided with a cowshed shuffle tomorrow (Saturday) night.

The event has been organised by by Chipping Campden Rotary Club to help raise money towards a life-changing operation

for three-year-old Molly Grove who suffers with a type of Cerebral Palsy.

Molly's suffers stiffness and pain in her legs making it impossible for her to run around with her two older brothers and friends at her Station Road home.

Her family are now trying to raise the £55,000 needed to pay for an operation and physiotherapy in America that will change her life forever.

Once the money is raised Molly can go to St Louis Hospital in Missouri to have the surgery which involves cutting some of the sensory nerve fibres that come from the muscles and enter the spinal cord.

An appeal was made to Observer readers last month and the latest event, in a newly-built cowshed in Toddington in Gloucestershire, hopes to add to the money already raised.

One of the event organisers Peter Butler said: “We decided to organise a Cowshed shuffle as we thought it would be fun and would help us raise some money for a good cause, then we heard Molly’s story.

"When we heard Molly’s plight we were all moved and decided that we would organise the evening to help Molly and other children like her achieve their dream of walking independently," he added.

Molly's family have been aided in their fund-raising efforts by national charity Caudwell Children who support families caring for sick and disabled children.

The charity's Chief Executive, Trudi Beswick, said: "This type of operation has a proven track record of improving the lives of children with Cerebral Palsy and we are pleased to help try and raise the money these families need.

"We need to raise a lot of money in a relatively short time and with help of people like Peter and the rotary club we are positive that Molly will soon have the independence that she deserves," she added.

The evening starts at 8pm and will feature music from The Occasionally Big Band, dancing, competitions and a barbecue.

Tickets are £15 and can be purchased in different areas, for Mickleton call Peter Butler 01386 438853, for Chipping Campden call Mike Taylor on 01386 841145 and call Graham Walker in Toddington on 01242 621216.

Anyone interested in supporting the Molly’s Wish to Walk Appeal can contact Caudwell Children on 01782 600867, donate online at www.justgiving.com/mollysmission2walk or text MOLL55 £(amount) to 70070.

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