Beedon teenager aims to raise £1m for hospice

Virtual hugs £1 each electronic fundraiser

A Beedon teenager battling personal odds is hoping her ‘virtual hugs’ fundraiser for a local hospice will light up social media networks.

Despite her life-limiting condition – Holly George was born with DiGeorge syndrome, a chromosome disorder – the 13-year-old has come up with the fundraising brainwave called A Million Hugs for Holly, with the aim of raising the final £1m to finish the building of an Alexander Devine children’s hospice in Berkshire.

The Kennet school pupil hopes Facebook users will donate £1 as a ‘virtual hug’ and her electronic initiative has already raised more than £150 since going live on Thursday last week.

Holly, who needs help and medical attention 24 hours a day, said this proved tiring for her family and added: “I am so lucky as the hospice already helps me at home by sending an Alexander’s Nurse to look after me.

“We have lots of fun and it gives my mum and dad a rest from caring for me.

“So I wanted to help raise some money to say thank you for all they do for me and my friends.

“I am not well enough to do a physical challenge and that’s when I had an idea.

“I love computers, so what if I could get a message to go viral or even round the world? It got me thinking…”

Her mother, Sue George, said Holly, who attends the Physically Disabled Resource Unit at her Thatcham school, accompanied by a nurse each day, had undergone a tracheotomy.

“It means she has to be monitored 24 hours a day to ensure her airway is working okay,” she said.

“This means that exercise is very tiring for her and so she wanted to think of something she could do that might work.

“She loves computers so this was her idea.”

She said Holly’s family, including her two sisters and parents, were “very proud of her wanting to say thanks in this way”.

She said: “We hope as many people as possible will donate a £1 hug so that Alexander Devine can continue giving hugs to children and their families for many years to come in the new hospice building. We know that it is important to Holly that she says thank you for the help they give her.”

The Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service provides care, help and support for the children of Berkshire and their families and surrounding counties.

To make a £1 donation, visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/millionhugsforholly.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/millionhugsforholly