‘River’s Red Carpet Reception’ fundraiser for urgently needed seizure alert dog

‘River’s Red Carpet Reception’

River Wardley’s family are putting on ‘River’s Red Carpet Reception’ at The Empire in Rochdale on Sunday 7 May to help raise money towards a seizure alert dog.

Six-year-old River, from Littleborough, is one of only nine people in the world, and the only child in the UK, suffering from a life threatening genetic condition with an extremely rare mutation on his CNK SR2 gene, which causes seizures, and intellectual, attention and language deficits. He also has central and obstructive sleep apnoea, hypermobility syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, autism, ADHD and uncontrolled epilepsy.

His parents believe a specially trained therapy dog from Autism Life Dogs will massively improve both River’s quality of life and aid his nine-year old sister, Roxi-Blue, who also has autism and sensory issues.

A ‘Forever Friend’ dog from the charity costs £6,500, requiring a deposit of £1,000. River’s mum Jeni hopes to have one placed in time for River’s seventh birthday in April.

The event will take place from 12 - 4pm and is suitable for all families and children with disabilities. Disabled access and changing facilities are available.

There will be a circus skills workshop for all abilities, with sign language, a one-hour magic show from Magical Mayhem, also with sign language, meet and greet characters and lookalikes, a Disney Princesses meet and greet and dance performance by Ignite, a fancy-dress competition for children and adults, and a raffle with fantastic prizes to be won.

The child with the best fancy dress costume will win tickets to Fun Play Centre whereas the adult with the best costume has the chance to win a £50 voucher for The Lake Lounge.

There will also be a photo booth, face painting, a craft making stall and refreshments including a fully-licensed bar.

For all ticket enquiries, contact Jeni Wardley:

jennyray250@hotmail.com