An Angus couple could soon be one step closer to realising their dream of chasing their twin girls along the beach near their Carnoustie home as the doctors with the power to perform life-changing surgery begin examining their case.
Averil Fleming and her partner Frazer Hirsch are campaigning to raise £80,000 to send two-year-old Ayley and Chloe who suffer from cerebral palsy to the US for groundbreaking surgery that could enable them to walk for the first time.
Now that medics at St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri have the detailed information they require, it is hoped a date for the procedure can soon be set.
Averil, who was unaware of the surgery until she read of the progress of Perthshire toddler Jack McNaughton in The Courier, said she continues to be “overwhelmed” by the generosity of those in Carnoustie and beyond.
The latest high-profile donation to the campaign has come from the girls’ great-grand-father John Duffy (85), who has pledged £1000. The family have also been supported by various local businesses, including the Spar on Carnoustie High Street which donated £1000 to the fund from the sale of carrier bags.
More than £300 was also raised at a recent quiz night in the Kinloch Arms in Carnoustie and there are many events in the pipeline at the Queen’s Hotel in Dundee.
However, Averil admitted she has also been extremely touched by the support of individuals, which ensured the total passed the £5000 mark after just a few weeks.
“I’ve been getting lots of cards through my door with money in them and some of them don’t even have names on them,” she said. “It’s just amazing what people are doing for us and the support of the Carnoustie community is just fantastic.
“I’ve just sent the girls’ medical records off to America and I’m confident we should get some feedback soon. Ayley has started to walk a little with the help of a frame but for Chloe it would just be a miracle.
“I never thought anything like this could happen.”
Averil is also receiving continued support from Jack McNaughton’s parents Stacy and Graham, who have been on hand to provide advice about both fund-raising and the operation itself.
Named selective dorsal rhizotomy, it helps increase mobility by eliminating pain and spasticity in the limbs.
Averil added, “It’s always great to catch up with Stacy and Graham because they give us such great advice and the kids all play away together, too. We’ve also been in touch with another couple in Kilmarnock who want to send their twins for the same operation and they are lovely, too.
“Everybody who is in our position seems to stick together and it’s good to talk to other families because there are often things you don’t really know. Everyone has just been so supportive.”