Raising money for Motorised Wheelchair for Alicia Pannell

Hi, we are Alicia’s amazing admin team (all family & friends and volunteers!)

We are helping to raise much needed funds for a motorised wheelchair for Alicia (which will be operated by her carer) to help with her comfort and daily life. Unfortunately this is not currently funded by the NHS and we want her to be able to be free from as much pain and this will wheelchair will enable that!

ABOUT ALICIA

Alicia was born unexpectedly 10 weeks premature on 30 January 2003, and she is now 22! She was cared for on the neonatal unit at St Mary’s hospital in Portsmouth for 7 weeks.

During her first few days of life she suffered a haemorrhage to her brain which resulted in her being diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) at the age of just 6 months old.

Alicia underwent surgery to insert a VP shunt into her head to take control of the Hydrocephalus.

These medical problems have left Alicia needing 24 hour care which her parents, Lee and Sharon undertake along with other carers.

Alicia has 3 siblings; Kayleigh and twin sisters Courtney and Scarlett.

Despite her disabilities and additional needs Alicia is a very happy and content princess, full of cheekiness and fun.

Due to her physical disability Alicia endures and suffers daily pain in all of her limbs which she has medication to ease this, however intense therapies also appease and reduce the suffering, furthermore decrease the disturbance with her sleep on a daily basis.

We are currently fundraising as a family to make her dreams a reality initially for her motorised wheelchair to enable her to venture to different places and experience new adventures, as well as being more comfortable in everyday life; and then will continue to fundraise for private physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, speech and language therapy all of which are not funded by the NHS or government.