Black tie ball at Mannings Heath Hotel to raise funds for Emily

Two-and-a-half-year-old Emily Milner had a difficult start to life and her parents Nickie and Carl from Roffey are aiming to raise enough money to pay for surgery in America which could allow her to make her first , independent steps.

The Milners have so far raised £7,000 for Emily’s care this year, holding a quiz night, pamper nights and Pampered Chef evenings. They have bought a £4,000 lightweight customised wheelchair which affords Emily some independence.

Emily, who has a sister Holly, five, and brother Jack, 11, was born at 29 weeks in March 2012 and it was discovered that she had sufferedsome brain damage.

Her parents were also told that she had cerebral palsy and she also has many other conditions including reflux, which means she is fed through a tube and will be readmitted to hospital next month to have another fitted.

The Milners’ next fundraising event is a black tie ball at Mannings Heath Hotel next Saturday (October 25) and there are still some tickets available.

Nickie, a former midwife, said: “We are really excited about the ball as it will be a great night with a glitz and glam theme. We have had some great prizes and auction lots donated, including afternoon tea at the Ritz.

“Emily is doing really well and is up to 9.9kg which is really good and is sitting for short periods independently.

“She has now started nursery two mornings a week which she loves.”

Emily , who attends the St Mary’s nursery, is also supported along with her family by the Dame Vera Lynn Trust for Children with Cerebral Palsy at Billingshurst.

Tickets for the ball which includes a three course meal, disco, live entertainment and auction are still available for £40. There are still disco only tickets available at £10. Contact Nickie on [email protected].

The night starts at 6pm while the disco will begin at 9pm. Next month Carl will raise more funds for his daughter when he embarks on a firewalk in Reigate.

You can sponsor Carl via the family’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/Emilymilner/Emilymilner?pageId=5464470