Faith Overcomes Fear: Three-Year-Old Hayward Heath Girl Takes First Steps Against All Odds

Monday, 28 November 2022 09:18

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

A three year-old girl from Sussex who was born with a brain injury has taken her first steps against all odds.

Faith, who hails from Haywards Heath, is also both visually and hearing impaired.

Her brain damage has also caused problems with her mobility, balance and coordination.

She was never expected to be mobile in any way because of a lack of strength in her body.

That all changed when she became a pupil at Chailey Heritage Foundation, a leading charity based in mid-Sussex which cares for children and young people with complex neurological disabilities.

She was able to use one of the charity's specialist trikes and — supported by experienced and caring staff — it has been a real life-changer both for Faith and her family.

Mum Vicki said:

"We as a family never thought that Faith would have the freedom that this specialist equipment has given her.

"Her communication is unique and personal to her because of her disability but what she has achieved we believe we could not get anywhere else.

"Her face when she used the trike for the first time, well I will never get that out of my head. She was so excited. She held onto the handlebars and started ringing the bell.

"She is able to bring the trike home which means we can all go out as a family on our bikes - something we never thought would be possible.

"For us as a family, that is priceless."

Now Chailey Heritage is asking the public to support its Big Give 2022 challenge, running from midday on Tuesday (November 29) until midday on Tuesday December 6.

It needs to raise £10,000 in public donations. If that target is reached, the figure will be doubled and the charity will have £20,000 to spend on specialist walkers and trikes to help other children and young people like Faith get out of their wheelchairs.

Will Folkes, Head of Fundraising at Chailey Heritage, is urging the public to support The Big Give 2022.

He said:

"Faith's story is just one example why we do what we do here.

"We have made a real difference to the lives of Faith and her family - and that's why we are urging everyone to support The Big Give this year.

"It is really important that we hit the £10,000 target, but it is also very important to stress that only donations made between (the designated dates) will benefit from the match funding."

The Big Give is a national annual fundraising campaign where donations by charities are doubled.