Pub fund-raiser boosts Hope for Georgia campaign (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Pub fund-raiser boosts Hope for Georgia campaign

2:40pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

A BROMSGROVE pub has raised hundreds of pounds for the campaign supporting a Bromsgrove girl with cerebral palsy.

The Slug and Lettuce, in High Street, held a fund-raising evening in February for two-year-old Georgia Almquest.

The daughter of Natalie Naughton and Dan Almquest, Georgia has cerebral palsy which affects all four limbs, preventing her from being able to hold her head up, sit or crawl.

An appeal to raise £20,000 so that she can receive stem cell therapy abroad was achieved within months.

Miss Naughton explained that it was decided not to go abroad, instead Georgia has been receiving specialist brain training in London, which she has been responding well to.

“The other day Georgia lifted her arm, which was amazing,” she said.

“It costs £80 a session weekly, in London, and we obviously could never have afforded that without the money raised.

“When we first started the charity we thought it would take a year to raise £20,000.

“The response has been amazing, everybody has been fantastic.”

The target has now been increased to £40,000, with the money raised going towards the specialist sessions and travel to London, as well as equipment helping Georgia.

The Slug and Lettuce's charity night included a performance from indie band Paradise Forum and a raffle which offered a selection of impressive prizes including a makeover session, cinema tickets, dance classes and a signed Manchester United football.

James Morrall, the pub’s manager, said: “The evening was a huge success.

"We are delighted to have been able to hand over £600 to Georgia’s parents to help with her all-important on-going treatment.”

To make a donation to the campaign see justgiving.com/HOPE-FOR-GEORGIA.

For more details on the campaign, and upcoming fund-raising events, see facebook page Hope for Georgia.