Miles of Pennies Challenge 4 Caitlins Safe Haven

Did you know it takes 79278 pennies laid out to make a mile, nearly every uk household has a penny jar where we throw our change in, your 1p coins can really make a difference to one little girls life , my challenge is to take your unwanted and unloved pennies and help build a safe haven for Caitlin. HOW MANY MILES CAN WE GO FOR CAITLIN

 

In October 2021 my nephew and his wife received the news that is every parents worst nightmare.

 

Their daughter Caitlin, aged just 7 had a terminal illness.

 

The diagnosis was Battens disease type CLN3. It was a neurological degenerative disease meaning waste builds up in the cells of her brain and slowly strip her of who she is.

 

She is already registered as sevearly sight impaired and the sudden sight loss was the reason for the investigation. She will start to have seizures and is already falling behind at school as her mental age will likely not go beyond her 8 or 9 years. She will lose her ability to walk and then talk, whilst battling with childhood dementia.

 

Caitlins long term memory will be the last to go, so my nephew (Nick), his wife (Naomi) and their three other beautiful children (Oliver 9, Joseph 5 and Sophie 3) are desperate to not only make the changes needed to their home to create a safe haven for Caitlin whilst she still has usable vision, but to provide the memories that they and her can cherish forever.

 

Any help to do this will make such a difference. That's why I have started up 'Pennies for Miles' in the hope that people's spare change can transform a families life.

 

They know they are going to lose their little girl, but they want to make sure she has the most amazing life she can before then.

 

More information on Caitlins condition can be found on the link below.

 

Juvenile Batten Disease: type CLN3

 

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Batten-Disease-Fact-Sheet

 

This fundraiser is set up by Naomi Passey on behalf of Jaki Passey (as technology is not everyone's friend).