Keeping dreams afloat

13/11/2008

Dreams of a child, who is terminally ill, are to be kept afloat by water workers and a Premier League and England under-21 football player.

Anya Potter, who is four years old, has a disease so rare that it cannot yet be cured or treated. 

She is the only known child in the UK to have Leukodystrophy – called vanishing white matter disease – which affects the insulating coating around the nerves.

The little girl, who lives in Hexham, in the Tyne Valley, is not expected to live past her teen years and will gradually lose mobility and the ability to co-ordinate the use of muscles.  Her parents, Kerry Morris, 28, and Craig Potter, 29, first realised there was something wrong with Anya when she was two and began to drag her left foot.

Her Dad, who works at Northumbrian Water as a production operator, and colleagues and friends have rallied round to organise a sponsored half-marathon swim (13 miles), on Sunday, November 16 2008 at West Outer Pool, West Denton Way, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 2QZ at 12.30pm.  Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend and to meet lovely little Anya and her family.
 
Newcastle United defender and England under-21 captain, Steven Taylor, is to start the swim and encourage Anya, who is hoping to swim one length. 

Fifteen family, friends and Northumbrian Water colleagues will also make a splash for the special youngster and help to complete the 628 lengths!

Anya’s condition was eventually diagnosed in February this year by two doctors - one in Holland and one in America.  The doctor in Holland is currently researching this disease.

Craig said:  “When we found out about Anya, it was horrific.  The disease breaks the body down and it is heartbreaking what Anya is going through and what she will go through.  It is unbelievably frustrating that there is currently no treatment or cure available.

“Kerry and I are touched that the swim has been arranged for Anya, but also that it will help raise awareness about Leukodystrophy and desperately needed funds for research.”

Funds raised from the swim will be added to the £20,000 already raised by the Potter family and will go towards research into the unknown disease.  Some of the cash will also pay for fun family treats for Anya and her little sister, one-and-a-half-year-old Taylor, to enjoy. 

Newcastle United’s Steven Taylor said:  “When I first heard about Anya’s condition, and was asked to help the fundraising campaign for her, I didn’t hesitate in saying yes.  She is clearly an incredibly brave little girl and I am looking forward to seeing her on Sunday.”
           
Northumbrian Water’s, Jane Morland, who organised the swim, said:  “I am so pleased that we can do something to help Anya and her family.  What they must be going through is hard to imagine and I hope the swim raises lots of money.  I am proud to work for Northumbrian Water because it has great employees who will always go the extra mile and it is a real pleasure to help our colleague, Craig, and his family.”

For further information, or to donate to the Anya Potter Appeal, contact Anya’s mother, Kerry Morris on 07900 196 490 or 01434 608 236.

For further information or to arrange interviews with Anya’s family or Northumbrian Water colleagues please contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720.