Success in £40k campaign to help little Megan Vernon walk tall

After 12 exhausting weeks of non-stop fundraising, one little girl’s dream of walking tall is about to come true.

In less than three weeks Megan Vernon will be jetting off to the USA for a life-changing operation that her parents feared would never be possible.

But thanks to their determination and help from Daily Echo readers, the impossible was made a reality as Megan’s Quest smashed its target, raising £40,000 to pay for the pioneering operation.

Now the nine-year-old from Bishopstoke, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is preparing to pack her bags and looking forward to wearing normal shoes like the rest of her friends.

Overwhelmed by the generosity of family, friends and well-wishers, her mum Steph said: “We’ve done it and I cannot believe it.

“When we first started this back in July we never believed it would be possible but we have been truly humbled by how generous people have been.

“We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped and to the Daily Echo who backed us all the way.”

Megan’s family embarked on their mammoth mission to raise £40,000 just three months ago, when they launched Megan’s Quest in the Daily Echo.

Currently Megan’s legs turn inwards, forcing her to walk on her toes, which cause her great pain despite hours of physio every day.

The Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy will relax her leg muscles permanently, allowing her to walk on her heels without the need to have more operations.

Although it is available in this country, the NHS offered Megan another operation, which involves invasive surgery and would require further operations in the future.

With the target now reached, after more than 40 fundraising events, Megan and her mum will fly out to St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri, on November 13, where she will have the operation and spend a month in recovery.

Excited about the prospect of being able to walk like her friends, Megan said: “I want to say thank you to all the people who helped me raise the money.

“Iamexcited about being able to run around with my friends and buy normal shoes.”

Mum Steph added: “Words just cannot describe how grateful we are.

Saying thank you just doesn’t seem enough.

“It has been an e m o t i o n a l rollercoaster and we have met people who will remain lifelong friends.

“The community has come together and made this possible for Megan.

“To be able to see her walk on her heels will mean the world to us and will totally transform her life. We cannot wait to fly back in a month and show everyone what they have helped to achieve.”