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.

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!

Will you help us help Tonia?