More stars support brave youngsters
GOLF superstar Rory McIlroy and Take That’s Howard Donald have given their support to a brother and sister with a fatal disease.
A growing list of celebrities are backing Ollie Carroll, four, and his little sister Amelia, two, who have been diagnosed with Late Infantile Batten Disease, a degenerative condition with no cure.
Both children will lose their speech, mobility and eyesight as they get older, and are unlikely to survive past the age of 12.
Their parents Lucy and Mike Carroll, from Poynton, have started a campaign, Ollie’s Army, to raise money into research and to raise awareness of the devastating disease.
The campaign has garnered support from sports stars including world number one golfer Rory McLlroy, Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, Arsenal and England footballer Danny Wellbeck, former England crikcket captain Michael Vaughan and Newcastle Eagles Basketball team.
Take That’s Howard Donald, popstar Olly Murs and DJ James Zabiela have promoted the campaign, along with comedian John Bishop, Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, Downton Abbey’s Lesley Nicol, comedian Les Dennis and Adam Smith from Soccer AM.
Fundraiser and family friend Nikki Ashwell said the support had been ‘overwhelming’.
“It has been so kind of these very famous people to want to hear about Ollie and Amelia’s story and offer their support. It can only help raise awareness of this terrible disease.”
Ollie was diagnosed in February using a genetic test. It promoted Lucy and Mike to test Amelia, only for the devastating truth to be revealed once more.
The extremely rare condition affects only five or six children in the UK each year so information and support is in short supply.
The campaign is also about funding research into the disease and funding specialist equipment for Ollie and Amelia as their health fails.
Ollie’s Army wrist bands are being snapped up by supporters and fundraising events have taken place all over the world.
Locally there as a bike ride from Ollie’s school, Vernon primary, to Snowdon in Wales which raisd more than £6,000 and fundraisers came from Money Advice Group, St Paul’s Catholic Pre-school, Poynton, and the Simply Be Team.
Meanwhile, Collin Manford, brother of comedian Jason, has agreed to be the patron of Ollie’s Army.
For more information go to olliesarmy.co.uk