Wendover family need your help so 15-year-old daughter with passion for cheerleading can have urgent spinal surgery
A family from Wendover are aiming to raise £40,000 to enable their 15-year-old daughter to have surgery on her spine after she was diagnosed with scoliosis.
The condition, which causes the spine to twist and curve to the side, was picked up by coaches at Aylesbury Cheerleading Academy, where Hannah Jaggers is a pupil.
Hannah has taken part in competitions around the country and represented the UK overseas in cheerleading events.
Hannah’s mum Pauline told The Bucks Herald it was while Hannah was taking part in a cheerleading camp in Aylesbury that the scoliosis was first picked up.
“Hannah’s scoliosis was picked up during a tumble camp in the summer by her coaches at the academy, which led to her diagnosis and need for surgery,” she explained.
“The heartbreaking reality of this for such a young and active young lady was to be exasperated by the fact that on the National Health Service Hannah could be waiting for up to three years for surgery.
“If left, her spine is likely to keep curving as it grows, therefore leading to more complicated surgery and reducing her chances of getting back to her current physical ability post-surgery.
“Cheerleading is her absolute passion and we as parents just cannot let this happen.
“We made the choice to take the private route and although the timing is not ideal during her GCSE year, we have to do what is right for Hannah, both physically and mentally.”
As well as being part of the academy’s competition teams, Hannah volunteers each week as a young leader, and provides support to the academy’s special educational needs and disabilities team.
The total cost for surgery and the hospital stay has been quoted at £59,600 leading the family to set up a crowdfunder page with a target of £40,000.
Hannah’s surgery is scheduled for early November providing the family have funding in place, and at the time of writing the fundraising page has reached just over £17,000.
The community has rallied round with fundraising including a cake sale and homemade craft event organised by Halton School’s Parent Teacher Association that raised £550, and a Play Your Cards Right games night and karaoke at The Pack Horse pub in Wendover that raised around £1,050.
Wendover Youth Centre is due to hold a Halloween themed evening on Friday (October 24), with proceeds going towards Hannah’s fundraising.
As well as cheerleading Hannah is also a member of 1st Halton Explorer Scouts and Drama Hub Wendover, which have both shared her story.
Local businesses have also donated raffle prizes and displayed Helping Hannah posters, while the family’s story was shared on the ITV regional news earlier this month.
The Bucks Herald has approached Aylesbury Cheerleading Academy for comment.
You can read more about Hannah’s story and donate through the crowdfunder page here.