Uffington Primary School hosts colour run
A colourful fundraising idea is helping a four-year-old to recover from ‘life-changing surgery’.
Pupils at Uffington Primary School took part in a colour run on Friday (May 20) to raise money for their classmate, Thea Williams.
The four-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, has recently undergone surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in the hope it will help her walk unaided.
While the surgery is provided by the NHS, much of Thea's after-care is not. The money raised will go towards adapted trikes, physiotherapy courses, toilet seats and home alterations which will make her life easier.
The school's parent-teacher association (PTA) came up with the idea of a colour run as a fun activity to help Thea.
Pupils were given the chance to decorate t-shirts with fabric pens before taking on the run amid splashes of colour.
Susan Saralis, one of the organisers, said: "Seeing the children's faces while running around was the best part - they absolutely loved it.
"Particularly after covid when they weren't able to do things like this, it was great."
Thea had surgery on April 20. Known as selective dorsal rhizotomy, it is a relatively new procedure that aims to reduce spasticity in the legs.
It involved a long stay in hospital before returning home just in time for the colour run.
The event has raised more than £2,500, with donations still coming in.
"I think we all felt really proud," said Susan.
"On the way home my son said that it felt really good to be able to help Thea. As a parent you couldn't want more than that and to show them we can do things to help others."
This is the second running challenge which has been held for Thea. The Williams' family friend Will Fry previously ran around the whole of Rutland Water for seven consecutive days which raised more than £6,000.
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