THE family of a little girl who survived a life-threatening brain tumour are inviting people to make Valentine’s Day chocolates to support other sick children.
At Christmas 2010, Juliet Taylor, now four, was admitted to hospital and underwent emergency surgery after doctors discovered the tumour.
Juliet had to spend a lot of time apart from her twin sister, Ella, while she was being treated. But Ella was obviously thinking of her because she kept a pink heart she found in a cracker and, without telling her parents Emma and Phil, took it to hospital and gave it to Juliet.
After Juliet was given the all- clear, Ella’s gesture inspired her parents to set up a fundraising appeal – Juliet’s Brave Heart Appeal – to raise money for children and their families from across the region who are treated in the specialist neurosciences and paediatric oncology wards at Leeds General Infirmary.
On Valentine’s Day they are getting together with York Cocoa House, in Blake Street, to run a workshop at which adults and children can make their own chocolate “lovipops” at a cost of £3 to raise money for the appeal.
A batch of the “lovipops” made by volunteers at a workshop in January are already selling well at the Visit York office, the Marriott hotel in Tadcaster Road and at Frankie and Johnny’s Cookshop, in Bishopthorpe Road.
Mrs Taylor, of Chalfont, in Dringhouses, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled. It’s very touching because so many people have done such a lot and are prepared to give their time to make the lovipops. Some people have never met us but heard the story and wanted to contribute. It helps and it’s just very heart warming that people are so kind and generous.
“It helps us get over what happened to Juliet by channelling our efforts into something which helps other children. When something like this happened to you, you value everything differently.
“I hope that never changes and that’s one of the good things that comes from this. We are thankful for every day.”
The workshop will run from 10.30am to 6pm on Tuesday and will give people the chance to make and decorate their own “lovipop”.
A raffle of family prizes donated by Cath Kidston, Castle Howard, The Marriott Hotel, Visit York, David Lloyd Health Club and York Cocoa House will also be held on the day.
Last Christmas, the family made and sold heart-shaped decorations and in coming months they hope to organise a heart- themed art auction.
The campaign to fundraise for Wards 75 and 79 has already made hundreds of pounds, with the family’s local shops in Middlethorpe Grove arranging a carol concert and the family selling handmade heart-shaped Christmas decorations.
Heart-warming tale
HERE’S a story to warm the cockles of your heart. The family of a little girl who survived a brain tumour are inviting people to a workshop in York on Valentine’s Day to make chocolate “lovipops”– and raise money for the fight against child cancer.
When Juliet Taylor, now four, was in hospital over Christmas 2010, her twin sister Ella brought her a pink heart she got from a cracker.
That heart inspired the name of the fundraising appeal Juliet’s parents Emma and Phil launched – Juliet’s Brave Heart Appeal.
It’s a great appeal for a great cause, inspired by a brave little girl. What better way could there be to celebrate Valentine’s Day?
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