Readers and public help raise £42,000 to allow severely disabled Ava, 7, to get therapy and specialised care she so badly needs...

A FAMILY fundraising for specialised medical treatment for their disabled daughter have praised their community for its support after smashing their target.

Kind-hearted family members, friends and strangers have held fundraising events or made donations towards seven-year-old Ava Chaplin’s care, raising a total of £42,000 – far exceeding the family’s original target of £36,000.

The youngster, who is blind and suffers from cerebral palsy, complex epilepsy and seizures, has been receiving treatment at the Adeli Medical Centre, in Slovakia, which greatly improves her quality of life, but costs £6,000 per visit.

Her family are delighted as the total raised so far means Ava can continue her sessions at the centre.

Her mum, Liz Chaplin, 38, of Seabrook Gardens, Boreham, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the continuing support from friends, family, the Weekly News and the community, who have continued to ensure Ava receives the therapy.

“So far, her therapy has given her greater hip function, straighter legs, reduced the scoliosis in her spine and given her head control.

"She has no remaining spasticity in her arms and can feed herself again.

“It means so much to us as parents as it means we can simply concentrate on caring for and loving Ava and simply being parents, instead of panicking about how we will fund the treatment which has given her a quality of life we previously only ever dreamed of.”

A concert in aid of Ava, has been organised by singer Holly Putt, 17, at Boreham Church on Saturday, October 10, at 8pm. Adults £5, children £3.

Donate to Ava’s fund at justgiving.

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