Tia’s quest to fund seizure alarm for brother a success

Tia Hutchinson, 13 and from Gorleston, and her family are celebrating after she smashed her £1,000 target to buy a seizure alarm to go on the cot of her baby brother Toby, who is nine months old.

And her Help Tia to Help Toby appeal has been such a success, Tia has raised enough funds in the space of less than two weeks to buy another seizure alarm for 14-year-old Kiera Douglas from Bradwell.

Her proud mother Lisa Hutchinson, 36, said: “Tia has worked around the clock with her appeal to achieve her target.

“She began sending letters to businesses requesting their help with donating raffle prizes so a raffle could be held to raise more funds.

“She was busy signing letters while her brothers folded them and put them into envelopes and helped with sticking the stamps on.

“Once Tia realised she had reached the target to purchase Toby’s seizure alarm she didn’t stop there, she continued sharing her original Facebook post and JustGiving crowdfunding page until enough funds were raised to be able to purchase another seizure alarm.

“That alarm is for Kiera Douglas from Bradwell, 14 and who was diagnosed with epilepsy at 13.

“Tia has decided to still go ahead with a raffle and donate split the proceeds with The East of England Ambulance Service and an epilepsy charity.

“We wish to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support, from family and friends to businesses and total strangers.

“It really means a lot and these seizure alarms are going to be life changing.”

Baby Toby had seemed fine until March when he had his first fit.

Doctors were unsure what was causing the seizures and he is waiting for tests and scans.

Tia and her family have also marked the seventh anniversary of the creation of Tia’s Treasures fundraising venture.

The 13-year-old Ormiston Venture Academy pupil was six when she started her fundraising project in May 2011. She has raised more than £5,000 for various charities.