Tonia is homeward bound very soon, but...

Today it is Tonia's Mum's Birthday and #TeamTonia are sending love and best wishes to her. However, the celebrations, if they are to happen at all, will have to wait. You see, later this week Tonia will be returning from Barcelona, driven in the ambulance that got her there, under the careful stewardship of three guardian angels: namely her mum Victoria and two volunteer paramedics, Tim and Sandra (pictured here with Tonia).

The journey out to Barcelona on the May Bank Holiday took a gruelling 34 hours. The paramedics, Tim and Sandra, flew back home whilst Tonia received her treatment from Dr Gilete and his team. Now they fly out again on the 18th and 19th in preparation for the return journey.

These good people use their skills and professions and service to benefit others. Yet, despite appeals to the airlines for free or discounted flights for our guardian angels, no airline has been forthcoming and so flights have had to be purchased. Additionally, for the journey - train fares, Channel Tunnel, toll fees and the cost of fuel needs to be met.

For this element alone £1,600 needs to be found. This adds to our outstanding fundraising bill of at least another £57,000 for further surgery, medication and rehabilitation costs not funded by the NHS. 

Where does this money come from? It comes from a combination of live events, raffles and online donations from kind donors like you.

Can you help us? Every single £1 counts.

TEXT giving is a great and easy route to supporting Tonia if you are in the UK: TEXT EHLE82£1 or EHLE82£5 or EHLE82£10 to 70070

Or you can donate online here via the Just4Children campaign on JustGiving.

Suffice to say, the urgent pressure on fundraising is immense. Thank you to everyone for your continued support, whether through contributions in cash, kind or through sharing or lobbying. Keep up the good work!