Islander, Donna Taylor, got in touch with OnTheWight recently to ask if we could highlight the fundraising efforts of a member of the Isle of Wight Hobby Photography group.
She said,
“One of the members of the Isle of Wight Hobby Photography group, despite being very poorly and housebound, has painted lots of wonderful canvases.
“She hopes to sell them all at the MND fundraiser in April to raise money for the care of her baby grandaughter who has just undergone a transplant and has to stay in isolation for several months in a Manchester hospital.”
Spring for Life fundraising exhibition
Sue Standish Murphy is the woman in question and was able to tell us more about the event taking place at Northwood House on 26th/27th of April. It’s being organised by local author, Philip Bell and is called ‘Spring for Life’.
Sue tells OnTheWight that she’s donated two paintings which she hopes will raise some funds for the charity that helps those with Motor Neurone Disease, MND.
Fundraising for Avah
Very soon, Sue will be embarking upon a summer of fundraising for her own Grandaughter, Avah Flynn (pictured above), aged 20 months.
Sadly, Avah has a rare terminal disease known as ‘Hurlers Disease’ or Mucopolysaccharidosis.
She’s the only person on the Isle of Wight with it and there are only 53 others in England. Heart-breakingly, the life expectancy is only nine or ten years, but the average is five.
With treatment Avah may live into her 20s
Sue says,
“Having said that, with the Chemotherapy Avah has just had and the stem cell treatment and transplant she has just undergone, they are confidant she is going to be one of the lucky ones who may well live into her 20s.”
She went on to explain,
“My whole reason for embarking on such a marathon of paintings, is to create a Fund for her so that she will have a happy stress free life for however long we are lucky enough to have her with us.
“So, in short, I am hoping to sell as many paintings as possible for my Avah.”
If you have a chance do pop along to the fundraising exhibition on 26th/27th April at Northwood House, Cowes.
Our best wishes to Avah and her family and all those on the Island affected by MND.
