Northwester

Hello all, long time no speak. I haven't been around for a long while, not being involved in the Ford world so much. Hi to all that know me. Is Benny still knocking around the place? Probably on a million posts by now, not one of them productive - never did manage to clean his dribble off my window.

However, I have popped back to ask for your help. I'm not asking for the world but suddenly had the idea that if everybody here helped with £1 and the community pulled together it would have a huge positive impact.

In November of last year a friend of ours, Mia Austen, suffered a devastating stroke.

She literally got up in the middle of the night for a drink and collapsed. She was rushed to hospital where she was put on a life support machine. The doctors really didn't think she would make it through the night but against the odds she did. When Mia eventually opened her eyes, it took them some time to realise that she was paralysed.

This is where this story takes a horrible twist, Mia had a condition known as Locked-In Syndrome. She was paralysed entirely, the only exception being her eyes. She was 100% coherant and aware of what was going on. LIS is described as being the closest thing to being buried alive. She spends a lot of time upset and cries a lot and at the moment is communicating using eye movements to indicate letters which make up words and subsequently sentences.

It will cost £3,500 to adapt her family home in order for her to make visits, and each visit will cost in excess of £100 due to all the support she needs. Even then, she will never be allowed home permanently.

Her family, friends and her boyfriend Rich are desperate for her to come home so they are taking part in the '3 peaks challenge' in the coming weeks with a view to raising enough money to make the impossible, possible.

Mia's story has been reported in the national press, which although has been very distressing for Mia and her family have released a press statement asking them not to, has raised awareness of the cause.

Paypal donations/sponsorship is being collected in mfm@alexbergh.co.uk.

Given the amount we spend on cars between us, there must be room for each of us to make a very small donation to help Mia finally be in her own home, with her family, if only for a day a week. Mia may never be able to lift her arm and look at a watch, I for one am eternally grateful that I can.

Finally, thanks so much from me, Mia, her family and friends.

Kind regards

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...-own-body.html

Darylc.

iTrader: (1)

I hate hearing these stories about how your life can go from good to shit in a second. I havn't got paypal, or know what it is, but is tere a way of making a donation another way?

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Woah that is one sad story

I really don't know how i'd cope if that was someone close to me

Northwester

There are other ways of making the donation, there's no way of setting up a justgiving site as far as I know because it's not a registered charity, or I would have done that.

There is a bank account but always sceptical about giving that out - could PM, I don't think the B/A owners would be happy with me posting it on an open forum?

You're dead right about amazing to shit in a second - someone with everything to live for reduced to this. Everyone remains hopeful of a full recovery, but you know...

vroooom ptssssh

Such a shame, and though it matters not...very pretty

Unfortunately this never seems to happen to scummy/junkie type people but bright normal people instead.

http://www.mountainsformia.co.uk/Totaliser.html

Looks like the £3500 target has been smashed and on it's way to £10,000

TOMMY_RS

£3,500 is that it to adjust the home? normally costs way more than that

Northwester

They managed to get a local contractor to do it at cost, hence the price.

Indeed, the number is growing and people have been immensely generous. I forgot to link to that site, sorry guys - don't know why. Would have made much more sense to do that.

Only couple of weeks left to donate, the paypal link I have given is my personal sponsorship. I'm on a fair whack myself so expect that totaliser to grow. Sad thing is even when the house is modified, it still costs £100 a day for her to go home.

Dig deep, or dig shallow, donate to me or donate via the site, who cares.

Cheers fellas.

Alex

Northwester

bumpy

NoRubNoDub

Can someone sticky this?

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

Agreed, should be stickied and perhaps change the title a bit to draw more attention such as something like "Locked In Syndrome Sufferer Needs Your Help"

I can't begin to express how much respect I have for her continuing to live her life. I don't think I could

Northwester

Thanks for your thoughts guys - far be it from me to suggest what should be stickied and what shouldn't so I will leave that to the powers that be.

Not sure I can change the thread title myself? Will give it a go.

EDIT - I can change the title

Mrs T

Only thing I will say about a sticky it seems alot of people miss it when its up the top, and thats been said a few times on different posts.

Northwester

Guys, I've had a couple of donations through this morning, I only have full names and email addresses which I'm conscious people may not want posting on here but I want to publicly thank DL and JV - you know who you are. Your kindness is much appreciated.

I want to set a target for this, which hopefully I've set low but I want to raise £100 from you guys if at all possible, enough to send Mia home to spend 1 day with her family. I am on £15 so far from the above which is wicked.

If 85 more people sponsored me just £1 each, I'm there and I can hand it over courtesy of PF with a note saying enjoy the time with Mia or something to that effect.

What do people think?

Northwester

Couple more donations, thanks very much to SS and born_again_kid for your generosity.

born_again_kid

iTrader: (1)

A really sad event. It does shock you into reality that all the 'Problems' we have with job security,cars, relationships. money and life in general are so trivial compared to Mia's. I for one have know idea what it could like to be her and as a parent to be absolutely powerless to help there little girl.
But they have to be strong for her and themselves and we can help them by making a donation, whats a £1 to you guys !!!

clarke5700

£10 from me just sent

Northwester

Mr. Clarke, that is above and beyond expectations - as have some of the donations from you other guys. Knew I could count on you lot

Thank you very much.

clarke5700

mr clarke goshhh you sound like my dad no worries

Northwester

Thanks for the donation RS

ram

iTrader: (4)

Northwester

A little bump for the lunch time browsers!

Northwester

A few more thank yous - I'm up to £78 made up of £1's, £2's, £3's, £5's and £10's.

£22 to go until I can hand over £100 from PF!

Cheers guys!

Mrs T

I'll donate tomorrow morning

Northwester

Thanks T

NoRubNoDub

I'll try to donate at the end of the week

jaiscossie

Read this and made my heart sink

Donation sent...

Bttt for a very very worthwhile thread.

Northwester

Thanks Jamie, received this morning. Very kind of you.

Bumpy bumpy.

£18 to go, although hoping to smash that!

Alex

Northwester

Hey guys had a couple of squids in today so £15 off target. May have to increase the target... hehe.

Seriously though guys, thanks very much, I wasn't expecting such a good response, you're all good guys and gals and I appreciate it.

Still a couple of weeks to go so hoping to keep cracking on with it.

Cheers

Mrs T

Done it just reminded me

Northwester

Aw thanks a lot, thats really kind of you

fiestamad

will send some money over when my paypal decides to work mate

Northwester

Thanks dude

St3V3_C

Rubbish news mate.

Post up a copy of the contractors quote - someone might be able to help by doing some of the work - I know sometimes it seems easier to give time than money.

Northwester

Thats a good idea. Will get a copy of it if I can. Cheers.

Also, bump for those of you who have got in after 10 pints and dont mind donating the cost of an 11th.

Cheers chaps!

Northwester

Nice day in the sun practicing for a long trek!

Bumpy mcbumpy!

AGAR-COSWORTH

BTT - I can't seem to articulate anything meaningful or positive to say about this. What a really sad situation, and one which must be so frustrating for all of those concerned.

Northwester

Agar, cheers for taking the time to donate - I find myself thinking about this whole situation an awful lot and there's no words that can sum it up or really describe how people are feeling.

AGAR-COSWORTH

Don't mention it - if only there was some sort of cure for this sort of thing.

Northwester

Unfortunately there isnt.

We remain hopeful. It's all you can do.

Northwester

Bump for your Monday morning workers. Still coming in in drips, which is excellent, collected about 30 of your £1 donations yesterday so thanks very much.