Grateful Solihull girl to give back to Birmingham Children’s Hospital

A brave Solihull girl battling a muscle disease is preparing to complete Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Charity’s first-ever 5km walk this July, to say thank you for her hospital care.

After hearing about the charity’s ‘Fun Family 5’ event, in association with The Big Sleuth eight-year-old Emily Williams was keen to get involved, alongside mum Kirsty and her kind-hearted siblings, Harry, Charlie, Toby and Heidi.

Diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis at seven years old – a rare and potentially serious disease which causes muscle weakness and discomfort – Emily, from Longmore Road in Shirley, has been cared for by Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s Rheumatology team for the past five months.

Now her condition is improving, thanks to regular medication and physiotherapy treatment, grateful Emily is hoping to help other children, just like her, by joining the Fun Family 5 sponsored stroll in Sutton Park on Saturday 29th July.

Emily’s mum, 38-year-old Kirsty, said: “We feel so privileged that Birmingham Children’s Hospital is right on our doorstep.

“Emily has been receiving incredible care to help improve her muscle strength and she really wanted to give something back to the children’s hospital – which is why we’ve signed up to Fun Family 5!

“The 5km walk will be a huge challenge for Emily, as she gets tired much quicker than everyone else and her muscles aren’t as powerful as ours.

“We would therefore be really grateful if everyone sponsored our family, as we’re so proud of Emily for challenging herself in this way in a bid to help other brave patients at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

Setting herself an original fundraising target of £300, Emily has already doubled her goal, raising a brilliant £630 so far.

She’s now even more determined to complete her 5k, before enjoying the bear-themed activities on offer at Fun Family 5’s dedicated Activity Zone – including the reveal of an exclusive, top-secret Big Sleuth bear.

Annie Eytle, Acting Events and Regional Fundraising Manager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Emily and her family for saying thank you to our hospital in this special way and taking part in our brand-new Fun Family 5 event.

“Fun Family 5 will bring the magic of The Big Sleuth to life and we can’t wait to see hundreds of fundraisers at Sutton Park, helping us to do more for our sick kids.”

To find out more about Fun Family 5: funfamily5.bch.org.uk Tickets should be purchased in advance and cost £30 for families (two adults, two children), £10 for adults and kids under five-years-old go free.

To donate to Emily’s JustGiving page, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kirsty-williams35.