Buxton family overwhelmed by support for Lola's therapy dream

Lola Thomas was born with the tip of her ninth chromosome missing which has led to medical complications all her life including heart surgery at five-months-old, epilepsy and severe bowel problems. She is both physically and mentally disabled and is a non-verbal child.

Learn more about Lola’s disorder here

Fundraising to reach the £10,000 target only started at last month and is already more than a quarter of the way there.

Mum Colleen of Macclesfield Road, Buxton, said: “I can’t believe how generous people are being.

“I was out and about the other day and someone came up to me and said they had seen our appeal and just handed me £20.

“I am absolutely overwhelmed by people’s kindness.”
The chromosome disorder known as Kleefstra syndrome was so rare that when Lola was born only 20 people in the world suffered with this, now there are 350.

One man who read about the families journey was Mike Pickford from Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Last year he won the Bradwell Crown Green Bowling open tournament with his mixed doubles partner and all the money raised at the next competition in September will be theirs to donate to which ever charity they want to.

He said: “When I read about Lola and how this therapy can help I was really touched by it.

“I want the money to make a difference and while the national charities do wonderful things the few hundred pounds raised from the event may not mean that much but to a little local girl I think the money will hopefully make more of an impact.”

To donate to help Lola click here.