"I just wanted to express my thanks on behalf of Steps Charity. The amount raised by you all is absolutely fantastic - thank you to everyone who gave their time, fundraising ideas, golfing skills and money!!!
Steps charity has always supported large numbers of families in the Greater Manchester area, where children have foot and ankle conditions such as clubfoot / talipes or metatarsus adductus. Steps regularly support families where children have hip conditions such as hip dysplasia or Perthes' disease. In addition, Steps helps a smaller number of families where children have very rare and complex conditions, such as shortened or missing limbs. All the families who come to us need support and guidance with reliable information.
Steps works closely with the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and have for years provided them with leaflets for parents. The hospital's orthopaedic team provide us with the most up-to-date guidance when we need medical information for our resources. Manchester Children’s Hospital is recognised as the largest treating hospital for children with clubfoot in the Northwest of England. We also work with Wythenshawe Hospital, Stepping Hill and St Mary’s Maternity Hospital. Many parents contact Steps after the 20-week ultrasound scan when a condition has been diagnosed, staff in these hospitals refer the parents to Steps for support.
As a Steps Parent Volunteer, I share practical advice with mums and dads who are expecting / who have already had a baby born with clubfoot. I offer a listening ear, and my experience as a parent of a child with clubfoot. It's heartwarming to see their little ones go through each stage of treatment, and to see the parents gaining confidence and feeling positive about their child's progress and future.
This money raised by Ashton on Mersey Golf Club will go a long way to enabling us to continue our work, being there with information for parents when they need it. It will ensure families in this area have support when they need it, it will help us pay for the leaflets, help fund the helpline, coordinate and train Parent Volunteers and work with the clinical teams across a range of hospitals.
Thanks you all so much once again!"