Kaitlin’s 10th birthday barbecue raises funds for children’s hospice
Trudy Topley, right, presents a cheque to Ellen Hillen of the NI Children's Hospice, proceeds of a 10th birthday barbecue for daughter Kaitlin, pictured.. INPT39-006
THE family of a young girl who suffers from a rare syndrome has raised £1,225 for the NI Children’s Hospice, which she attends.
The money was raised at a barbecue at the Tandragee home of Stephen and Trudy Topley to celebrate the 10th birthday of their daughter Kaitlin.
Kaitlin suffers from Pallister-Killian syndrome and requires 24-hour care as she is unable to walk, talk or do anything for herself.
Her dad Stephen said, “In the early days we were told that Kaitlin would have a very short life span - five or six years.
“So when she reached her 10th birthday on August 9 we decided to do something special to mark it and to donate the money to the hospice.”
Kaitlin receives care from the Hospice at Home service one afternoon a week, which allows her mum, who is her main carer, to leave the house knowing that Kaitlin is in good hands.
The Ceara Special School pupil also attends the hospice once or twice a year for respite care.
The family held the barbecue at their Cooley Hill home, which was attended by 80 friends and members of the extended family.
Kaitlin’s mum and dad have thanked everyone who supported the event, including Knox’s Butchers, Portadown, Anderson’s Butchers, Tandragee, and Kingshill Bakery who supplied the meat and bread. David Jameson Roofing provided a marquee and bouncy castle while Tandragee DJ Gerry Williams sponsored the music free of charge on the day.
Said Stephen: “There were people who donated money and various businesses donated prizes for the raffle. We are very grateful to all of them.
“We have been using the hospice services for about five years and it provides a fantastic service. There are parents who are much more dependent on it than us, including those whose children are receiving end-of-life care. The hospice has areas where the parents can stay.”
In previous years, the family had raised money for Ceara school, with Stephen having done a parachute jump and organised a golf day among other fundraising activities.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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