Chesterfield community rallies to support 'beautiful' little girl who needs her home transformed

A Chesterfield community has launched a fundraising campaign to support a ‘beautiful’ and ‘determined’ little girl after her battle with meningitis.
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Four-year-old twin Darcie Greaves caught viral meningitis and ended up on life support in hospital aged just seven days.

The illness caused brain damage and Darcie has been left with cerebral palsy which affects her lower limbs.

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She cannot stand or walk unaided so has a walker, wheelchair and specially adapted chair on wheels to get around in her Calow home.

Darcie in her specialist walker.Darcie in her specialist walker.
Darcie in her specialist walker.

Darcie, who attends Calow C of E Primary School, and her family now need to transform the home to improve her quality of life and allow Darcie to be independent in her equipment.

Mum Natalie Greaves, 33, said: “This will make an incredible difference to Darcie, it will give her the space and independence of moving freely in and out of the house in her walker and wheelchair and getting about upright like her brother instead of crawling on the floor.

"Having space at home that is safe for Darcie to access is all we dream of.

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Darcie needs specialist equipment to get around her home.Darcie needs specialist equipment to get around her home.
Darcie needs specialist equipment to get around her home.

"Being a twin she has grown up watching her twin brother do all the things she aspires to.

"She is such a determined little girl and we want to give her the most freedom and a home that is suited to all her needs.”

Natalie, Darcie’s dad Nick, 34, and twin brother Harry, want to carry out a raft of improvements to their home and garden and have set a fundraising target of £90,000.

Chesterfield girl Darcie Greaves contracted viral meningitis as a newborn baby.Chesterfield girl Darcie Greaves contracted viral meningitis as a newborn baby.
Chesterfield girl Darcie Greaves contracted viral meningitis as a newborn baby.

"We need to get our house and garden adapted so she can be fully independent in her equipment and chase around her twin brother!” Natalie said.

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"We will need an extension, make doorways wider, ramps at each door, modify her bedroom, create a downstairs toilet, the list goes on.

"She is definitely a cerebral palsy warrior and tries her hardest in everything she does. Her smile is infectious and she lights up a room.”

Natalie says the family is very grateful to the people who have donated already.

If you can help, visit the family’s GoFundMe page to make a donation.

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