3 days ago
Family of Wicklow girl (8) with rare genetic condition overwhelmed by support
Stella is the daughter of Anna and Conor Leonard of Moneystown and shortly after her birth she was diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), which is a genetic condition caused by missing or faulty genes on chromosome 15 and is characterised by a range of physical, cognitive, and behavioural symptoms.
'Team Stella' organised a fundraising coffee morning and raffle, which took place on Sunday in Moneystown Community Hall, which ended up raising over €7,500 for the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Ireland.
Stella's mother Anna said: 'Words cannot express how much everyone's kindness and support mean to us. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who donated, helped, and joined us on the day.
'Stella hasn't stopped talking about it, and we're so grateful for everything. It went beyond what we could have imagined. What started as a small community gathering turned into an amazing display of support, love, and generosity.'
The morning was filled with fruit, cakes and bakes, while the talented Esther from 'The Risky Chicks' also put on a special performance. All the kids in attendance had a blast with the play corner—painting stones, tattoos and playing games, while the sweet and popcorn shop proved a massive hit.
Anna stated: 'Possibly the most cherished part of the morning was Stella's calm corner, where people could take a moment to relax. Stella truly made the most of this space.'
She added: 'What made this day even more special was the incredible turnout. We never expected such a large gathering, and it was heartening to see so many people coming together. The community spirit was truly infectious. We were especially moved by the support from Stella's friends with PWS, who travelled from Kildare, Greystones, and Wicklow just to be with us.'
'Team Stella' also offers a huge thanks to everyone who ensured the event ran smoothly, whether it was selling raffle tickets, assisting with the clean up, or lending a hand wherever needed.
'We'd also like to express our heartfelt thanks to the Timmons and Leonard families for their incredible support, and to principal Ms Morris and deputy principal Ms Durston, of Moneystown National School, for looking after everyone with teas and coffees, and a special thank you to Bruno, our teddy mascot, for keeping everyone entertained and spreading even more fun throughout the day,' said Anna.
Local businesses also generously donated some great raffle prizes, which ensured that everyone left the coffee morning with a smile on their face.
