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2006 June 22 - Preschool Ducklings wheelie to school event

Children at Ducklings Preschool Group in Milton Keynes will be taking part in a ‘Wheelie to School’ event on 6th July to help raise funds for Children’s Liver Disease Foundation (CLDF).

The fundraiser will take part at the preschools four sites and will see around 250 children between the ages of three and five gaining sponsorship for cycling or rolling to school on the day. 

Ducklings proprietor Deborah Walters is helping to organise the event after learning of the vital work carried out by CLDF from local mum Helen Carter, whose 4 year old son Josh attends the Westcroft  site.

Helen and husband Peter from Shenley Brook End have received practical and emotional support from the charity since their daughter Hollie was found to have a liver problem when she was just eight weeks old.

Shortly after her birth Hollie, who celebrated her first birthday on 11th June, became jaundiced and was not thriving or putting on weight.  She was referred for tests at Kings College Hospital in London – one of three specialist liver units in the UK.  Here specialists confirmed that Hollie’s liver was not functioning properly, however to-date her liver condition is still undiagnosed.

Helen says, “Hollie continues to be closely monitored but is currently doing well. Over the past year we have gone through a roller coaster of emotions, one day thinking Hollie will require a liver transplant, to thinking that she is getting better the next.  CLDF have been a lifeline throughout this awful experience and I really wanted to give something back – both to raise awareness that children can be affected by liver disease and to raise funds.”

Deborah adds, “When we heard about the support Helen and her family had received from CLDF, all the staff at Ducklings were keen to do something to help. We thought the Wheelie to School day was the ideal event.  Not only will the children be helping to raise funds, they will be doing some exercise - and having a great time too we hope!  We are looking forward to seeing Hollie who will be accompanying her brother and mum on the day.” 

Catherine Arkley, chief executive of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, says, “We desperately need more funds to continue our vital family support, education and research programmes and we are very grateful to the children and staff at Ducklings preschool for organising this fundraising event on our behalf. It is also fantastic that the focus is young people raising money to help other children.”

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Notes to editors:

For further information please contact Rachel Markham, Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, Tel: 0121 212 6012, e-mail: communications@childliverdisease.org

Children’s Liver Disease Foundation is a unique national charity that fights childhood liver diseases through funding pioneering research and educating healthcare professionals and the general public. Formed in 1980, it provides professional, emotional support to families affected and is the only organisation of its kind in the UK.

Childhood liver disease – the facts
• More children in the UK are currently diagnosed with a liver disease than childhood leukaemia
• At least two children are diagnosed with a liver disease every day in the UK
• Most childhood liver diseases are life threatening; all mean a lifetime of care
• There are over 100 different liver diseases that can affect babies, children or young people
• For most childhood liver diseases the cause is unknown
• Liver disease has no cure
• CLDF is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to stamping out childhood liver disease

Ducklings Preschool groups
Ducklings Preschool group runs sessions at Westcroft Community Centre, Kingsmead Community Centre, Emerson Valley Community Centre and Tattenhoe Pavilion.  For more information on the preschool visit www.ducklingspreschool.co.uk or call 0779 6503761/ 01908 502818