Member Article

Local charity heads in One Direction with fundraising afternoon tea

Sheffield-based charity, The Eden Dora Trust, is once again being supported by one of its patrons, Louis Tomlinson of One Direction, as 80 guests enjoyed a once in a lifetime afternoon tea with the star last Friday (30 October) ahead of the band’s farewell concert at Sheffield Arena last Saturday.

Organised by the founders of the Eden Dora Trust, Petrina Goldman and her former husband Phil, who set up the charity after their six year old daughter Eden was diagnosed with Encephalitis, the event was co-sponsored by business adviser Grant Thornton.

After being welcomed to Whirlowbrook Hall by Eden, the inspiration for the charity, guests enjoyed an afternoon tea hosted by Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, also a patron of the charity, with special guest Louis Tomlinson providing photo opportunities and signing autographs. Further funds were raised from a charity auction led by Freddie Flintoff.

“We were already aware of the valuable work of this fantastic local charity and were happy to be able to play our part by co-sponsoring this unique afternoon tea with Louis and Freddie,” comments from Paul Houghton, senior partner for Grant Thornton in Sheffield. “As well as raising much-needed funds for the Eden Dora Trust, it was also a great opportunity to invite some of our clients and contacts, such as Hallam Medical and Weldricks Pharmacies, and their families to join the fun and meet one of Britain’s best loved pop icons before his final concert.”

Petrina Goldman, founder of the Eden Dora Trust, commented: “We are fortunate to be supported by celebrities such as Louis and Freddie, and also by businesses in the Sheffield City Region and by the local community. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this such a successful event.”

The Eden Dora Trust was set up in 2014 to support children and their families with Encephalitis, a life threatening illness usually contracted from a virus, and it is currently the only charity in the UK dedicated solely to children who suffer from the illness. The Goldmans’ daughter, Eden, suffered from the near fatal illness four years ago and had to be rushed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital after a seizure. She subsequently had to learn how to walk and talk again and the illness left her with a life long Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) which has affected her development in many ways.

The charity aims to help make life better and easier for the children and families affected by providing help, information, research and rehabilitation so they feel less isolated, different, misunderstood and alone. The Eden Dora Trust is also raising funds for research into this illness in the hope that it will save more lives and also reduce the severity of the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) for the child. It aims to help people understand this sometimes hidden disability which is not only life-changing for the child but for the whole family.

The charity’s patrons include: Louis Tomlinson, Paul Dickov, Joe Hart, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff as well as Travel Industry expert Paul Wait.

For more information, how you can become involved in the charity, or help and information on Encephalitis, please visit the website: www.edendoratrust.org

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Kilmurray .