Amy to fly to US for life-changing operation

A SIX-year-old Culcheth girl will fly to the United States in April to undergo a life-changing operation – thanks to the efforts of local fundraisers.
Amy Hepburn, a pupil at St Lewis Primary School, in Croft, was born 10 week premature and during her first weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit she suffered an infection which damaged parts of her brain, including the areas which affect her motor skills.
This has left Amy with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and makes her completely dependent on others for all everyday tasks.
Dad Gavin Hepburn said: “This makes life very tough for Amy and you might think that she would be quiet and reclusive.
“But happily, this is far from the case. Amy is the brightest and most positive girl you could meet.
“She tries her best to take part in everything and works incredibly hard not only in school but with her various therapies and exercises. She never complains and is very caring about how everyone else is doing. Almost everyone that she meets is amazed at her positive attitude.”
A fundraising Burns Night ball at Leigh Golf Club was attended by nearly 100 people.
Other fundraisers have included Amy’s sister, Hanna, doing a sponsored cycle ride with her classmates and her teacher doing a sp9onsored parachute jump.
A large number of people are doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in March and a quiz night is being organised in Culcheth.
The fundraising target is £50,000 – and about half has already been raised.
Mr Hepburn added: “The operation is scheduled for April 14. We will stay for a month in America and the operation alone costs £40,000, plus flights and accommodation in the US.”
Amy has already had various therapies in the UK, but her parents now believe the biggest difference to her quality of life couold be achieved by the operation that can only be carried out in America.
She will then still require months or even years of physiotherapy but it is hoped Amy will see improvements in feeding, talking, motor skills, learning, mobility, general development and less pain. Any of these improvements will give Amy a brighter future.