Help Amy get her Christmas Wish

A LOCAL mum admits she was “flabbergasted” after a fundraising mission to send her daughter abroad for urgent surgery clocked up thousands of pounds in a matter of days.

Edel McHugh from Strabane, whose daughter Amy was diagnosed with scoliosis earlier this year, says she has been humbled by the response to ‘Amy’s Christmas Wish’, the aim of which is to raise enough money to send Amy to Turkey for an operation.

Scoliosis is a condition where a young person’s spine curves, most often during a growth spurt.

As 12-year-old Amy had previously had lung surgery, mum Edel took her to A&E when she noticed the curvature in September, although at the time she didn’t know what it was. An X-ray showed it was scoliosis and the family was told they would receive an urgent appointment for a consultation.

“I’m still waiting on that appointment,” Edel said.

The local mum added  that with a 15-month waiting list here in the North for corrective surgery, she felt as though she had to act and to that end, she paid to have Amy seen at a private orthopedics clinic.

“I was frantic when we came back from the hospital and so when I rang to get a private appointment, I was able to get one the very next day.

“I had to take her private because I couldn’t get an appointment here. There is something like 450 waiting for appointment at the minute with orthopedics.

“But we were told  she needed surgery  urgently because of the degree of curvature. There is a 15 month waiting list and it’s growing considerably longer with Covid. And as Amy is getting older that curve is getting worse.”

Amy has since been booked into a hospital in Istanbul prior to Christmas and the operation alone, to have steel rods inserted into her back, will cost £40,000.

However, despite the fundraiser being launched by Amy’s uncle Damien McHugh just a week ago, almost £9,000 has already been pledged.

“It’s just fantastic,” remarked, mum Edel. “I’m overwhelmed by it – completely. It’s been less than a week. I’m flabbergasted and stunned at people’s generosity.

“I was reluctant about going public. But although it was embarrassing at the start, it has given us the momentum to go on.

“I’m not keen on taking her  as far away as Turkey but I feel as though our backs are against the wall,” Edel continued.

“I’m nervous about it, going to Istanbul, and it’s over Christmas as well.”

Depending on recovery and all going well, Amy is due to be discharged on Christmas Eve.

“Hopefully it works out,” Edel added.

* To help ‘Amy’s Christmas Wish’ come true, search for this fundraiser and donate via gofundme.com