Three students from Derbyshire-based science company Lubrizol have responded to a Leicester mum and dad’s plea to give their little girl “the best chance in life” by taking on the Derby Ramathon this month to help fund life-changing physio for cerebral palsy.
Little Lola James was born to parents Greg and Beth in November 2020 but birth complications meant she was oxygen deprived, suffered severe brain damage, and was subsequently diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy before her first birthday.
The condition affects all four of Lola’s limbs meaning she has very stiff muscles and despite being able to understand everything around her, she is not able to crawl, stand, walk or talk.
Now three students at Lubrizol – where Greg works as a videographer – are busy training for the famous Derby half marathon on June 30 so they can contribute to a fund paying for physiotherapy for Lola which has been shown to be particularly important during the first five years of her life.
Writing on a Just Giving Page, Lola’s mum Beth said: “As Lola’s cerebral palsy is due to brain damage, the best chance of her developing is for her brain to make new pathways around the damage. We know that her brain is most able to do this in the first 5 years of her life so we are determined to do as much therapy as we can while her little brain is at its most malleable.
“We are desperate to be able to provide Lola with regular therapy, such as physiotherapy and speech and language therapy, as well as equipment like a special trike, specialist seating and toys that will enable her to develop as much as she can, and enjoy life like all children should be able to.
“These are things that the NHS simply can not provide and we are now down to one full time wage as Lola needs constant care so I as mum have had to give up full time work.”
Three students on placement at Lubrizol have been so moved by Lola’s story that they have decided to train and run the Derby Ramathon to raise funds for the little girl’s ongoing physio treatment.
Nathan Sawyer, Faith Battersby and Beth Sims, who are all on their student placement year at the company’s UK Technical Centre in Hazelwood, said they found Lola’s story very compelling and they could not think of a better cause to support.
Nathan, a student at The University of Derby, said: “I was chatting to Greg and found out about Lola’s needs. What stood out to me was how young she is, and the potential for her to have new pathways in her brain while she is such a young age, and the importance of raising that money right now.”
Faith said: “Beth and I signed up for the half marathon and wanted to do something for a children’s charity, so when Nathan messaged us about Lola, we knew we’d found the perfect cause to support.”
Lola’s fundraising page is managed by the charity Just4Children to pay for her medical care.
Dad Greg told how Lola was benefiting from weekly hour-long physiotherapy sessions costing £100 each, and had also so far had three intensive physio and occupational therapy sessions lasting a week.
The treatment has meant Lola can now finally sit up independently. With a week’s intensive treatment costing £600, her family is aiming for Lola to benefit from intensive physio treatment once a quarter.
He said his daughter had developed into a bright and bubbly toddler who despite being unable to speak was clearly able to understand the world around her.
He said: “An educational psychologist has told us she is above average in terms of her mental capacity. She’s essentially a normal child but with this physical disability. We just need to get as much physio into her early years as we can.”
Greg said the efforts of students at Lubrizol were “absolutely incredible”.
“I can’t thank them enough,” he said. “It’s absolutely amazing that they have dedicated the time and effort for Lola. We are really touched by what they are doing.
“It’s good to see that Lola is improving and that there is some benefit to all this physio she is doing. Lubrizol is an incredible company to work for – they have been so supportive of our family.”
Lubrizol has previously donated to a fundraiser in aid of Steps, a highly valued centre in Shepshed that helps Lola and other children with disabilities affecting motor development, such as cerebral palsy and Down Syndrome.
Nathan, Beth and Faith are busy training for the Derby Ramathon and their fundraising page has so far raised nearly £1,000 to help Lola’s treatment. You can donate here: www.justgiving.com/page/nathan-sawyer-lola
This story was written and shared on behalf of Lubrizol by Lucy Stephens. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
