We're fundraising for the next leg of Tonia's Journey

It's a new year and a new start to our fundraising efforts this year.

Tonia has had a difficult time in the UK for the last few months. Her treatment has not been up to scratch unfortunately but, despite many setbacks, Tonia is a determined young lady and is fighting her corner to get well and to get the treatment she needs in the UK.

Unfortunately, Tonia will need another operation. We knew this was likely at the time of the last operation but it has recently been confirmed by a specialist in the UK. The operation, like last time, is not performed in the UK. This means that Tonia needs to raise the finance to be able to go back to the Teknon clinic in Barcelona, Spain.

At the time of writing, we've reached £120,516 which is amazing. However, we need to get to £200,000 to cover the additional costs of surgery and rehab. So that's just £79,500 we need to raise in the next few months. We know it's a huge ask. And we know that Tonia isn't the only one who needs private health care. And we know she's not the only one suffering with these serious health conditions due to EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome).

If you care to donate, you can do that here on Tonia's Justgiving page. All funds are raised via the charity Just4Children, who then pay the medical fees out of the monies raised.

To read up more about Tonia's progress, her Mum, Victoria, is posting regular updates from her Facebook page here.

Many thanks.

Help us help Tonia get the treatment she needs in the UK. Please sign and share our petition.

Tonia, Tonia's Mum, Nurse Sandra and Paramedic Tim
on the way home from Barcelona.

Please sign and share our petition here.

Tonia made it back to the UK a few weeks ago in dramatic fashion involving her ambulance breaking down and being written off, a trip to hospital in the South of France and heroic efforts from Tim the paramedic to get everyone home safely from the South of France. The good news is that they made it.

Tonia was making great progress post-operation and was regaining her vision and her strength, was able to sit up, and was working hard on her physiotherapy to regain mobility.

Unfortunately, back at home, things are not looking so good. The pain medication and nutrition needed was not administered by her local hospital. Trust between the patient and hospital has broken down (following years of to-ing and fro-ing over Tonia's complex case) and relations are now sadly at an all time low.

Without this medication and nutrition, Tonia's health has worsened once more leading to seizures, sepsis and pneumonia. As a last resort, Victoria, Tonia's Mum, took her to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford in the hope of getting better treatment and to find a medical team willing to follow the care plan set out in Barcelona. These needs are now being partially met but Tonia is still very unwell and in hospital.

EDS is a complicated illness and there is a lack of knowledge about it in the NHS. Research into the illness is also underfunded and the EDS Society's resources are stretched. As a result, this means that some NHS Trusts don't have the resources, support or experience to deal with patients who have EDS and related chronic illnesses and people fall through the net.

But we are not losing hope. There are still things we can do...

We are still fundraising for a new ambulance and for more medical costs:

We are hoping and praying that Tonia recovers from her current bout of sepsis and pneumonia, and that when she's a bit stronger, can return to Barcelona for more treatment and potentially, another operation. There are also still bills to pay from her recent trip. You can donate here.

The Just4Children campaign doesn't cover Tonia's needs in the UK so we can't use those funds to convert a second-hand ambulance for her needs. As such, we have a separate campaign for that which you can donate to here.

We have an online petition going to request that the medical professionals looking after Tonia in the UK, follow the care plan from Barcelona and administer the medications and nutrition required. Please sign it and share as far and wide as you can. You can do that here.

Eckstock is coming on Saturday 14 July, and we'll be there!

Eckstock is Eckington's very own annual music festival held on the Eckington Recreation ground. Featuring local bands and entertainment for all the family, and plenty of food and drink to choose from. #TeamTonia will be there too with our own stall where you'll find a Tombola and Lucky Dip with lots of treats on offer for all ages with all proceeds going towards Tonia's ongoing medical costs.

Eckstock starts at midday on Saturday 14 July and it's just £7.50 entry fee. Find out more on their Facebook page or on their website. All welcome - you don't have to be a villager to attend!

If you have Tombola or Lucky Dip prizes to donate, please get in touch with Sarah by email so she can arrange delivery or collection.

Get your home crafted gifts now from the Conscious Crafties!

Conscious Crafties is a wonderful website, marketplace and community for people suffering from illnesses and disabilities and their carers. It's like Etsy, but the difference is that all the crafters are either disabled or caring for someone who is disabled. Not only that, but goods can be commissioned as well as having ready made items for sale. It's rather wonderful and well worth supporting.

We're very humbled that some of 'The Crafties' have kindly donated their items to help fundraise for Tonia and all proceeds are going towards Tonia's medical costs. Tonia herself is a very talented artist so this is right up our street! The shop is great for small gifts and cards and there are items suitable for friends and family alike.

Why not give it a whirl and support Tonia's Journey in the process? Here's the link.

Will you help us help Tonia?