New £83,000 extension will transform crippled toddler's life

Work is due to start on an £80,000 extension to four year old Elsie Novell’s home in June.

Now her family is making a final push to raise the final £8,000 to make it a reality for their daughter.

Elsie’s mum Charlotte said: “We have finally had the exciting news that building works will start in June and will cost around £83,000.

The Council will give us £40, 000, but we are still £8,000 away from the target with our own fundraising.

The work will include a two storey extension with a lift to Elsie’s bedroom .

Her existing bedroom will be knocked out into an interconnecting wetroom.

A special lift will carry Elsie upstairs, there will be full ceiling track mounts and an adapted bath.

MA (type 2) is a rare, genetic, degenerative muscle condition, which affects the lower motor neurones.

Elsie has spinal muscular atrophy, which means she is unable to stand or walk.

It means Elsie cannot crawl or walk, her arms, hands and neck muscles are considerably weaker than a typical child of her age and eventually her breathing and eating will become increasingly difficult.

Her mum Charlotte and dad Chris have been raising money for her since she was 18 months old.

Charlotte added; “Things are getting quite urgent now we have this target to meet.”

A whole community has rallied round to raise thousands for a special wheelchair for her.

The family has raised more than £50,000 towards a house extension and aids for Elsie and are still fundraising to pay for hydrotherapy and sessions at Riding for the Disabled at Papplewell.

A new gofundme page has been set up at www.gofundme.com/give-elsie-a-lift.

Fundraising events are in the pipeline including a DIY SOS fashion show on May 31 at the All Saints Centre, Huthwaite and a series of coffee mornings.