Source: Free Press

SEVENTEEN-month-old Evie Everett is severely brain damaged, has cerebral palsy, suffers regular seizures and is registered blind.

So her parents are launching a £50,000 fundraising bid to pay for pioneering stem cell treatment in China.

Evie was born eight weeks premature in January 2008, and for parents Heath and Nicola, of The Neerings, Coed Eva, looking after her is a formidable task.

"She doesn't sleep properly, only three hours at most, and that's with two lots of sedation," said Mrs Everett.

"Doctors, physios, nurses cannot get near her or calm her down long enough to find out the real extent of her disabilities, but we believe she has great potential with the right treatment.

"We've been told she is 80 per cent brain damaged, and has cerebral palsy and visual problems, but we don't know the extent of those until and if she is able to tell us. She's registered blind but we just don't know the full extent."

Mr and Mrs Everett, who have six other children aged five to 19, investigated other treatments on the internet. Cells can be manipulated and injected into an affected area to mend damaged tissue, or through areas such as the spinal column, which act as routes to areas such as the head and brain.

Chinese firm Beike Biotech have accepted Evie as suitable for 40 days of treatment at Hangzhou Hospital near Shanghai – at a cost of £50,000. Mr and Mrs Everett have set up an account at Barclays Bank in Cwmbran, under the title Evie's Hope as a starting point.

"It's a lot of money and hard work, but we're hoping people will be able to help us out," said Mrs Everett.

"We owe it to her to try to do something. I'd hate to think in 10 years' time that I should have done it, but hadn't."

Anyone who may be able to help with fundraising may contact Mr and Mrs Everett on 01633 876110.

Anyone wishing to donate to Evie's Hope can do so through the Cwmbran branch of Barclays Bank, through account number 53333221. The branch sort code is 20-60-64.