When four-year-old Casey Burke wrote to the Gazette asking us to help her raise money for her best friend Matilda Duncan, she not only captured our hearts but caught the attention of the nation.
Within just one week, Casey’s campaign had been picked up by national newspapers, was broadcast on ITV and the Walking Matilda fund smashed its £40,000 target.
Thanks to Casey’s inspirational letter, five-year-old Matilda – known as Tillie – who has cerebral palsy, will now be able to have groundbreaking surgery which will allow her to walk without a frame.
Matilda’s mum, Rachel Knowles, originally wanted to raise just over £25,000 for the selective dorsal rhizotomy operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital, but the pre-hospital stay and physiotherapy bumps the total cost up to more than £40,000.
In her letter, Casey wrote: “Matilda is only five and so doesn’t have enough money in her piggy bank.
“So, me and my mummy are helping Matilda and her mummy to raise the money.
“We need to ask 25,648 people for £1 each, but I don’t know that many people – so I need someone to help me that does.”
Not only did Casey, who lives in Eastcote, kick start the fundraising, but she knows exactly what it is like for Matilda, from Hayes, because she also has cerebral palsy and unlike her best friend, her condition means she is not suitable to have the procedure to walk unaided.
The two girls go to Coteford Infant School in Fore Street, Eastcote with their twins Carmel Burke and Matthew Duncan and older brother Luca Burke.
Miss Knowles said: “The money raised will support Matilda for life. We never expected to raise it so quickly. When we found out we had hit our target, I felt like I was in a dream.”
That is why Miss Knowles, Casey’s mother Suzanne Burke and grandmother Patricia Sheen have all nominated Casey for a Hillingdon Local Heroes award in the 18 and under category.
Mrs Sheen said: “I really think that she deserves the honour of being thanked as a Local Hero and I am one very proud nanna.”
Nominations close on Thursday, April 24, and the Local Heroes Awards ceremony is on Thursday, June 5. Nominate your hero using the online form below.
Categories this year are simpler – ‘adult’ or ‘under-18s’ – but when nominating, consider whether the person is a carer or fundraiser or is active in the community.
Our ‘Heroes’ will get a £50 prize and ‘Superheroes’ a £200 prize, plus the chance for a further £500 for being the overall ‘Superhero Of Hillingdon’.
There will also be commendation certificates.
