Pub regulars touched by little Ellie's plight (From The Northern Echo)
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Pub regulars touched by little Ellie's plight
2:05am Monday 25th June 2007 in News
RARE SYNDROME: Ellie Sales, whose family are campaigning for money to pay for her helmet Buy this photo »
FAMILY and friends of a little girl born with a rare syndrome have launched a fundraising drive to buy her a life-changing piece of equipment.
Ellie Sales was born with plagiocephaly and brachycephaly, otherwise known as flat head syndrome, which means her head is misshapen.
The seven-month-old, from Spennymoor, County Durham, has to spend 23 hours a day in a special helmet to guide her head into the correct shape.
Because the treatment is not available on the NHS, her parents, Michael Sales and Julie Horner, are unable to pay for it all immediately.
The couple have paid £500 but need to find another £1,450 so Ellie can keep the headgear as long as she needs it.
Miss Horner said: "Ellie's temple was unbalanced and her ears out of line, which would have got worse if we did nothing about it.
"The problems are purely cosmetic but I couldn't watch her grow up, with that on top of all the usual problems teenage girls face, knowing we could have done something to help.
"Some people who don't get treatment as a baby go for cosmetic surgery later in life, with all the extra risks and costs that means.
"The helmet is so simple and after just a month her head is already growing into shape."
After hearing Ellie's story from her uncle, Stephen Horner, staff and regulars at The Voltigeur pub, in Spennymoor, launched a charity campaign.
On Sunday, July 15, they will hold a fundraising event in the pub and take part in a ten-mile sponsored walk.
Landlord Chris Hill said: "I'm confident we'll raise much more than we need. People are always very generous when we do charity work, and it means a lot more when we're helping someone close."
Mr Sales said: "It is a huge relief to know people are supporting us and we hope any extra money raised can help parents who cannot afford a helmet for their baby to access the treatment. It will be like Ellie helping other children in her position."
To support the campaign, visit The Voltigeur, in Dundas Street, or call Mr Hill on 01388-810297.
