HANNAH FRANCE

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.

MARCH 2008 - London Marathon

More fundraising! Thanks go to Gail Richards of The Well Fed Veggie - one of her customer's, Peter Freeman, is running in the London Marathon on 13 April 2008. He is running for Hannah and The Hornsey Trust, his Just Giving page is http://www.justgiving.com/hannahbmarathon.

OCTOBER 2007 - Day in the life of a cerebral palsy mum

Julia was interviewed for an article in the Daily Mirror which appeared on 9 October 2007. Click here for the reproduced on-line article.

JUNE 2007 - The Hannah Banana Slimathon!

Julia (Hannah's mum) is now working as the Head of Fundraising for The Hornsey Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy where Hannah has progressed beyond all expectations due to their invaluable support. Please take a moment to visit their online fundraising page and make a donation. It's really easy - you can donate by credit or debit card at the following address: http://www.justgiving.com/juliaslim.

The Hornsey Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy offers Conductive Education to children with Cerebral Palsy. It provides group and one to one parent and child sessions, a nursery and a school for 5-11 year olds. It aims to help each child be as independent as possible by developing their physical, intellectual and social abilities.
Charity Registration No 233990

WHO IS HANNAH FRANCE?

Hannah is a beautiful, feisty eight 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.