Welcome!
These pages are dedicated to fundraising for the splendid Hannah Banana and your continued support is much appreciated.
My name is Jacqui Day and I met Hannah's mum, Julia, when I worked in the Fundraising Department at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. This site was formed in the summer of 2003; instead of a 40th birthday bash for myself, I wanted to celebrate by encouraging all my friends and family to raise money for a specialised walking frame for Hannah.
These pages are dedicated to fundraising for the splendid Hannah Banana and your continued support is much appreciated.
My name is Jacqui Day and I met Hannah's mum, Julia, when I worked in the Fundraising Department at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. This site was formed in the summer of 2003; instead of a 40th birthday bash for myself, I wanted to celebrate by encouraging all my friends and family to raise money for a specialised walking frame for Hannah.
SEPTEMBER 2008
Caring for a child with cerebral palsy BBC Interview
Julia Stanger-France speaks about the challenges she faces bringing up her nine-year-old daughter Hannah, who has cerebral palsy.
Click here to watch the interview
Hannah France and mum Julia
WHO IS HANNAH FRANCE?
Hannah is a beautiful, feisty nine year-old, with the bottomless pit of vitality and vivacity of any other child her age.
She has cerebral palsy as the result of complications following an operation to repair a hole in her heart at the age of one.
FUNDING FOR EDUCATION, THERAPY AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Hannah has come on leaps and bounds, achieving far more than her specialists ever thought possible. In 2003, between us we raised an absolutely fantastic £3,500 to buy a custom built David Hart walker, which will improve her mobility and independence and thus her quality of life.
In November 2003 Hannah and Julia travelled from St Albans to David Hart's clinic in Keighley, Yorkshire, where she underwent an assessment with the man himself. He promised to have her on her feet by spring 2004.
WHY ARE WE STILL FUNDRAISING?
Whilst the battles with bureaucracy continue, to obtain funding for her education, therapy and support services, there are other needs with which we can all help. As Hannah grows, so will her health, education and support needs.
Now that she has her walker, there are continuous maintenance and alteration costs as she develops physically. Each clinic appointment costs £80, plus travel and accommodation costs for Julia and Hannah in Keighley.
There are many other items of equipment essential to Hannah's life that will require ongoing upgrading, plus things the rest of us take for granted - holidays, for instance - or how about a new bike? Small things that we don't think twice about are major logistical operations or involve major financial outlay but the benefits are incalculable.
Money is not the answer to every problem, but it doesn't 'alf help! It would be great to be able to fund anything at all that helps to shrink the obstacles for Julia and increase the quality of life for Hannah.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Please use the links to navigate around the site. Any donation, however large or small, is greatly appreciated. There are some great fundraising ideas but the list is endless. If you can think of a new or novel way to raise more money - please contact me. Whilst there are always many deserving causes, Hannah's life really is improved by your support.
