Fundraising target smashed for South Shore baby with neurological conditions

Lynn Taylor, 45, a childminder for 22 years, decided to raise money for 12-month-old Scarlett Steeden-Smith, a baby she cares for with various neurological conditions from South Shore.

Children in Lynn's care and other childminders from the area joined together in Stanley Park earlier this month for a socially-distanced toddle to raise funds for Scarlett.

Scarlett was born prematurely at 31 weeks along with twin sister Beatrix, after suffering from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Before her birth, she suffered extensive damage to her kidneys, bowel and brain as a result of oxygen depletion, and her parents Amy, 34 and Paul, 38, were told by medics it was unlikely she would survive after delivery.

Miraculously, both Scarlett and Beatrix proved medics wrong and were born safely at Royal Preston Hospital last year, but since her birth Scarlett developed the neurological conditions Porencephaly and Periventricular Leukomalacia.

She also has problems with her muscles, struggling to move her stomach off the floor to move into a crawling position, and has only recently been able to sit independently.

The sponsored toddle was organised by Ms Taylor to raise money for a Galileo vibration plate, a piece of equipment which significantly improves Scarlett's muscle tone.

Together with the help of kind-hearted members of the community and a mystery benefactor, Lynn has raised £7,839 for Scarlett - surpassing her original target of £4,799.

Lynn said: "It has been the most amazing thing to watch the total on the Just Giving page go up and up with donations for our toddle for Scarlett, along with a mystery benefactor who kindly made a donation of £2,500. The moment I realised we had reached our target was absolutely amazing.

"We are so looking forward to watching her progress using the Galileo machine, and hopefully be able to stand and play with the other children.

"When we completely smashed our target it was beyond our wildest dreams, it was so emotional.

"Even now, I will admit I still get tears in my eyes, as I know first hand what this money is going to mean to Scarlett and her family.

"The money we have been able to raise is truly life changing, and it’s Scarlett's future you have helped to shape.

"I want to say a huge thank you to every single person who donated, to the other childminders who took part in the toddle with us and especially to all the little ones who toddled for Scarlett. We will remember this always and forever be grateful to every single one of you for your generosity."

The money raised has enabled Scarlett's parents Amy and Paul to buy a Galileo plate for their home, so she can receive her mobility treatment every day without relying solely on trips to a special clinic in Liverpool.

The extra money raised will be used for her hydrotherapy treatment and other equipment to help her development, and enable her to learn to run and play with her sister and friends.

Scarlett's mum Amy said: "Every penny of the money has been so gratefully received, we just couldn't believe it.

"I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the amount raised, and I'm so lucky to have such a fabulous childminder who has done this for us.

"The Galileo plate has been shipped from Germany, so we should hopefully be able to get it in time for Christmas.

"We've also been able to turn part of her playroom into a special area for her so she can use her equipment in there with mirrors and mats on the floor.

"It's been really hard to get the money together to take her hydrotherapy and to her clinic sessions as often as she needs, so I was just shocked and so happy.

"We were really touched by all the children coming together to do the toddle for her, they were amazing."

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