THE mother of a three-year-old girl from Glasgow with a rare
condition has urged the public to support a charity that funds dream trips for sick children.

Hannah Pender, from Pollok, was born with a chromosome anomaly that affects only 65 people worldwide and causes regular seizures.

Her mother, Rebecca, 28, says doctors can’t say how it will affect her future development. 

She applied to the charity, Caudwell Children Destination Dreams, to ask if her little girl could go on their next trip to Disney World in Florida – her first trip overseas.

Glasgow Times:

Rebecca was delighted when Hannah was offered a place on next month’s trip.

She now wants to encourage people to donate to the charity to help secure places for other children from Scotland on next year’s holiday.

She said: “It’s difficult to contemplate going on holiday as Hannah is often in and out of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, in Glasgow. 

“Being too far away from her doctors feels a bit of a risk and even if we could afford it we would be uncomfortable taking Hannah overseas on our own. 

“However, Destination Dreams is completely different as they take a team of paediatric doctors and nurses. The medical team is available 24/7, which gives families like ours real confidence.

“As a result of this care it costs the charity, on average, £10,000 to take each of the 25 families on this once-in-a-lifetime holiday.”

Trudi Beswick, chief executive of Caudwell Children said: “For many families caring for children with terminal or life-threatening conditions, the thought of leaving the protected environment of their home town, and their regular medical support, fills them with dread.

“Unfortunately, the level of assistance that the families need doesn’t come cheap. That’s why it’s vital that children like Hannah get the fundraising support that they need.”

To support Caudwell Children go to their Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/destinationdreams2016