Starting school is a milestone for any child – but for little Lila Colclough of Newton Abbot, it could be particularly hard to handle.

Everyday actions such as getting dressed and eating are a struggle for her because of a medical condition affecting the use of her right hand.

Aged just two, she’s already had all the treatments her parents Sarah and Elliott can afford, on top of her NHS care.

Now they’re crowdfunding to pay for an intensive physical therapy programme in Manchester that they hope will ‘teach’ her right hand to work better, before she enters the classroom.

It costs £6,545, but Sarah said the response to their GoFundMe appeal has ‘surpassed their wildest expectations’ - and Lila will be starting the treatment at the end of November.

Lila Colclough
Lila Colclough (Sarah Colclough)

Lila was diagnosed with right-sided hemiplegic cerebral palsy at the age of just eight months, following a perinatal stroke. She has spasticity across her whole right side, but her right hand is most affected.

Sarah said: “With starting school approaching at age four, we worry deeply about her being able to open her lunchbox, hold a pen, or get changed for PE like other children.”

The treatment at Helping Hemi Hands in Manchester will involve putting Lila’s ‘good’ left arm and hand in a cast, and then encouraging her to use the hemiplegic hand.

As her right hand and arm improve, the therapy will also re-educate Lila’s brain so that the new movements and techniques become second nature. This part of the treatment is particularly effective in very young children whose brains are still developing.

Sarah and Elliott, who both work as paramedics for the local NHS, say they’ve been ‘astounded’ by the support for their GoFundMe appeal - not only from colleagues, but also the wider public.

Just 24 hours after they launched the appeal in mid-October, with a target of £4,000, they’d raised enough to pay the deposit for Lila’s treatment. Two weeks later the total was nudging the target figure.

Sarah said: “The GoFundMe is set to £4,000 because we never expected to get close to the full amount.

“Of course, if it does, that would be incredible.

“For so many people to care so much about the future of our little girl is truly humbling. The kindness of strangers has been overwhelming, and we will never be able to properly express how grateful we are.

“We can only imagine that it’s Lila’s cheeky grin and the twinkle in her eyes that have captured so many hearts. She’s an inspiration to us.

“Determined, strong-willed and never one to take no for an answer .... even when it’s getting dark and she still refuses to get off the swing at the park!

“We thank every single person who has donated, shared her story or been part of Lila's journey along the way. They've helped give Lila opportunities that will make a real difference to her future. We honestly cannot thank everyone enough.”