Georgia lights up festive campaign

ONE of the first children through the doors at Treetops has been chosen as the face of this year's Donna Louise Children's Hospice Christmas campaign.

She's a perfect choice, because if any child is living proof of the remarkable work done by the charity, it is Georgia Cotton.

When the hospice was officially opened in 2003, Georgia was one of the first four children to make use of it.

Now, six years later, her parents Paul and Tracey Cotton can't imagine what life would be like without Treetops and its staff. The couple, of Selwyn Street, Stoke, have lost count of the number of times they have almost had to say goodbye to their daughter.

Georgia was just six months old when she was given an emergency Christening at her hospital bed after doctors told her parents she would not survive the night.

After beating the odds, Georgia, who was diagnosed with brain damage and a condition called West Syndrome – a rare and serious form of epilepsy in infants – was then thought unlikely to live to see her first birthday.

But Georgia, now aged 10 and a pupil at Kemball Special School in Fenton, has shown astonishing courage and fortitude in the face of adversity and is described by staff at Treetops as an inspiration to them all.

Now she is looking forward to celebrating another Christmas with her mum, dad and brother Dan, aged 24.

That is why Paul and Tracey are delighted that this year's festive fund-raising push, supported by The Sentinel, will carry her name.

Georgia's Christmas Angels invites people to make a £10 donation to the hospice based at Trentham Lakes.

As a thank you, everyone who supports the campaign will receive an exclusive, limited edition, Christmas tree decoration produced by Wade Ceramics.

Tracey, aged 41, said: "As a family, we are incredibly proud that Georgia is the face of the Donna Louise Christmas campaign for 2009. To us, Treetops is a lifeline – a beautiful place for us and Georgia to go to and feel relaxed and rejuvenated knowing how lovely and supportive the staff are there.

"We never get used to the fact that our little girl is so unwell and that her life is so fragile.

"However, with the support of the Donna Louise Children's Hospice, we have learned to live with Georgia's condition and to try to live a happy and fulfilled life as a family."

Tracey, a healthcare support worker at Bucknall Hospital, added: "We would like to ask everyone to please join us in supporting the Treetops Christmas appeal so the hospice can be open for hundreds of other children who need support – just like my precious little angel."

The hospice's head of fund-raising, Melanie Mills, wanted to thank Georgia and her family for helping to promote the Christmas campaign.

She said: "Christmas is a time for families and loved ones and Georgia's story is just one of many inspiring examples of bravery and resilience among families that use the hospice service. We hope that Georgia's story will touch and inspire more people to support us – not only this Christmas but for many years to come.

"We need the public support now more than ever to ensure we can weather the storm of this recession and keep our doors open to the hundreds of children and families who desperately need our help."

To support the Georgia's Christmas Angels campaign, fill in the coupon below, call 01782 654444 or email: info@donnalouisetrust.org to ask for more details.