Dream set to come true for brave Georgia

A TEENAGE girl who suffers from a rare condition which means she will never grow can now look forward to a dream holiday thanks to Warrington Town boss Shaun Reid and the non league football community.
Thanks to a generous donation of £1,400 from club sponsor Carl Stairs, the £4,000 appeal target to send 15-year-old Georgia Rankin on a holiday of a lifetime to swim with Dolphins in Florida has been smashed.
Reid, who grew a moustache and beard for “Movember” to raise funds for men’s health, decided to continue with fund-raising after being inspired by Georgia’s bravery and happy smile, despite being in constant pain.
Club sponsor Carl, who runs the Logistics People recruitment company, was touched by the fund-raising appeal, after experiencing something similar with his own daughter 20 years ago.
When his daughter was born totally blind Carl embarked on a marathon £500,000 fund-raising campaign to send his daughter to America for an operation. Unfortunately the operation was not successful.
“I know how hard the fund-raising can be and had to re-mortgage my home and rely on the generosity of others to send my daughter to America.
“I am fortunate to now have a successful business and wanted to help with this fund-raising appeal.”
Directors, players, sponsors, supporters and footballing rivals also rallied to the cause.
Although in constant pain caused by Skeletal Dysplasia, which has caused her bones to prematurely fuse, brave Georgia, who is only the size of an average 18 month old child, attends Great Sankey High School and remains positive and cheerful.
She needs to use her electric wheelchair at all times and recently underwent surgery to help improve her pain but unfortunately it didn’t go to plan and she is still suffering and requires morphine every 4 hours.
A delighted Reid said: “I can’t thank Carl enough for his generosity – it is a fantastic gesture.
“The money will be spent on a holiday so Georgia can experience something many of us take for granted. With the funds raised she will go to Florida and visit Discovery Cove where she could swim with dolphins, this would be the best therapy ever!
Georgia’s mum Andrea said: “We are just so touched by Shaun’s thoughtful fundraising idea and the generosity of everyone who has donated especially at this expensive time of year!
“This will give Georgia something positive to look forward to, especially as she faces more major surgery this year. To swim with dolphins has always been a dream of Georgia’s, this will now be turned into reality thanks to the generous supporters of Shaun’s campaign. We can’t thank them enough!”