Pictured: The Griffiths family, Alison, Cerys; Gwyn and Elin
BY SARAH DONNELLY
Vending leaders are calling upon their industry colleagues to help raise £60,000 to fly a five year old girl with quadriplegic cerebral palsy to the US for life changing surgery.
After being denied the operation in the UK, Cerys Griffiths and her parents, from Pencoed in Bridgend, face the difficult task of generating the money to fund the treatment overseas.
After raising almost £400 during the Vendex dinner, industry leaders are joining Cerys’ plight and urging the entire vending family to dig deep and support this cause.
Gwyn Griffiths, Cerys’ dad, explains, “Since we set up the trust fund, Cymorth I Cerys, in 2009, the support we’ve received has been overwhelming. From charity evenings to the Three Peaks challenge, fundraising to date has enabled us to buy items such as a specialist trike, walking frame and home physiotherapy equipment. All of which has encouraged Cerys’ independence and made her the confident little girl she is today.
“Our main aim at the moment, however, is to self-fund a specialist and life-changing spinal operation in the USA which has been refused here in Britain.”
Cerys, who was born 11 weeks premature as a result of a lack of blood flow to the brain, has been unable to sit unaided, stand or walk. She is totally dependent on a wheelchair and one-on-one support.
The specialist operation called SDR (selective dorsal rhizotomy), will remove the spasticity and stiffness in Cerys’s legs as well as the pain she experiences when standing. It will also stop the night spasms she currently suffers. After the operation it is hoped that Cerys will learn how to sit unaided, crawl or potentially even walk.
Cerys, whose bravery continues to inspire all who know her, was recently presented with the BridgeFM local hero award for Child of Courage.
Gwyn’s employers, RPC Tedeco-Gizeh at Kenfig, have been actively supporting Cerys for several years, as David Lowe, General Manager explains, ”The employee forum team at RPC Kenfig have voted overwhelmingly two years in succession to support the Cerys appeal. During that period it has been a privilege to see the staff at site involved in all sorts of activities including running, jumping out of aeroplanes, sponsored silences, to cake baking. The money raised has helped provide much needed building modifications and equipment to improve the quality of life for Cerys.
“I have met Cerys many times and she is such a beautiful little girl, full of life and energy. We will continue to do all we can at RPC Kenfig to further support her fundraising appeal.”
if you would like to donate please visit Cerys’ Just Giving page
You can also find the charity on Facebook/Cymorth I Cerys where all information on upcoming events is posted.
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