Four years ago today, just before her 4th birthday, Jasmine’s life changed forever.

What began as a normal, bright, confident little girl — the child who “ran the nursery,” who helped staff settle new children, who dashed up and down the stairs with endless energy — suddenly became a child fighting one of the most aggressive brain cancers: Ependymoma.

Since that day, Jasmine has endured more than most adults will ever face in a lifetime:

20 complex surgeries

33 rounds of radiotherapy

25 weeks of intense chemotherapy

100+ blood transfusions

80+ general anaesthetics

4 medical devices in her body

Countless hospital stays, complications, and moments no parent should ever have to witness

During her very first surgery, Jasmine suffered an acquired brain injury that took away her ability to walk. Later procedures damaged the nerves that control swallowing, meaning she will never be able to eat or drink by mouth again. And now, due to new complications affecting her breathing, the next step, if it was to get worse: a 5th medical device called a tracheostomy, which means Jasmine will lose her voice forever, even with valves.

Yet despite all of this, her memory, her spark, and her dreams remain untouched. Jasmine still wants to do everything she used to do. She is still Jasmine — bright, loving, funny, determined. "A force within the classroom" said her school report

Between constant vomiting, stomach pain, exhaustion, and the never-ending routines of suctioning, cleaning, changing clothes, managing feeds, and comforting her through pain — she still smiles. She still tries. She still fights.

And then something extraordinary happened.

Last year, Jasmine was offered a place at Netherhall Mead Academy, a specialist school with the facilities, medical expertise, and compassion she desperately needed. It changed her life.

For the first time in years, Jasmine completed a full year of school in-between two surgeries. She made friends. She joined a community. She performed at the Curve Theatre. She took part in The Rotary Disability Games. She starred in the school Christmas performance. She enjoyed activities that once seemed impossible.

Her confidence, her joy, and her will to live have grown because of this school.

But children like Jasmine rely on specialised equipment — seating, supports, medical adaptations, communication tools — that are complex, expensive, heavy, and not always funded. Even something as simple as finding a suitable chair has taken over a year and its still not fit for purpose.

So we are raising money for the school charity called FONHA (Friends of Nether Hall Association). A pot of money the school can use to make life more comfortable and accessible for children with complex medical needs.

Every penny raised will go directly to improving a child’s daily life:

A pain-free seat.

A safer way to breathe or move.

A chance to participate.

A moment of joy.

A little dignity.

A little comfort.

A little childhood.

Your support will not only help Jasmine, but every child who walks (or wheels) through those doors.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. And thank you for helping us bring comfort, dignity, and joy to children who deserve it more than anyone.