Over £100K raised in Doncaster Freya's name

A Doncaster mum has celebrated her daughter's first birthday by raising £163,000 for charity.
Freya McBride, who has kawasaki disease, at her first birthday party fundraiser.Freya McBride, who has kawasaki disease, at her first birthday party fundraiser.
Freya McBride, who has kawasaki disease, at her first birthday party fundraiser.

Joanne McBride’s daughter Freya, who celebrated her special milestone earlier this month, suffers from Kawasaki disease, which causes blood vessels to become inflamed.

The Sprotbrough baby was the youngest person in the country to be diagnosed with the condition. It is difficult to detect meaning Freya’s heart was damaged in the 13 days it took for her to be diagnosed.

Freya McBrideFreya McBride
Freya McBride
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A fun day, which was held on Freya’s birthday at St Mary’s Church Hall for her family and friends, was organised to raised money for the Cosmic Kawasaki Disease Research fund. The day alone raised over £1,070.

Joanne, aged 41, had also been fundraising in the weeks leading up to Freya’s birthday, bringing the total raised from the families campaign to £7133.88.

She said: “It was one of the most special days I have had with Freya since she was born. I’m not sure how many people went to party, but nearly 100 people accepted an invite on Facebook, and they brought family and friends and their children.

“Freya seemed to enjoy every minute. She got a car for her birthday so spent most of the day being pushed around, meeting all her guests. I cannot think of a better way to turn something so terrible into something good.

Freya McBrideFreya McBride
Freya McBride
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“I would like to add thanks to Hayselden Volkswagen, they organised the printing of the raffle tickets which meant that we didn’t have any costs and every penny we raised could go to the cause.”

The day included a raffle with 82 prizes, many donated by local businesses.The raffle was drawn at Otto’s Wine Bar, Main Street, Sprotborough, earlier this month, where staff had also raised £120 by baking and selling cupcakes.

The remainder of the money came from kind well-wishers, including one £75,000 donation from a man, who wishes to remain anonymous, who had found Joanne’s Twitter profile and wanted to help.

All the money raised is being matched by the Macklin Foundation in America, doubling its value.

Search for Freya’s Story on Facebook or @Freya_Story on Twitter for more information. Donate at www.virginmoneygiving.com/giving and search Joanne McBride.