For those of you who know me (Auntie Janine Wilson) it will come as no surprise to you that on February, 26th 2012 I will be swimming the Rottnest Channel Swim in Western Australia.  This is a 19.7 km open water swim from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island.  The difference this time round is that my beautiful daughter Tess will be on a surf ski next to me as my support crew. (Some of you may remember Tessa’s commitment to my craziness when she stood in torrential rain for 12 hrs 40 mins in NZ when I raced in the Iron-woman event.

So why a 19.7 km swim? Well we are doing this to raise money for our gorgeous niece / cousin Tilly Wilson, she was born with Cerebral Palsy in 200r8 and having Cerebral Palsy means that all the things we take for granted physically are a struggle for Tilly.  Simple things like sitting, crawling, walking and talking are some of the daily tasks early intervention can help her achieve.  Equipment and specialised care expensive but so far have made a huge difference.

The immediate goal is to raise funds to help purchase a communication device before she starts school next year.  Tilly is a 4 year old that has plenty to say (she is a Wilson) but just needs a different way to communicate.

I would really love for you to get behind me on this cause to “HELP TILLY TALK” by offering a small donation towards my goal.

Tilly’s smile lights up a room, her energy and vibrancy is infectious.  You could swim a marathon on that alone.  If I can raise some money to help purchase a communication device it would be a wonderful achievement.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Dear Tilly, Such a beautiful brave little girl, my daughter would love you. xxx ”
– Stuart & Bernie Thistlewood

“Good luck Janine on the swim, Good luck Tilly at School. ”
– Anthony Hartley

“Good Luck Tilly – you are one amazing little girl. You have very special parents and the incredible Janine who is going to swim 20kms for you! Good luck to you too Janine!”
– Mischa Traynor

“I pray that you will have a wonderful and happy life, may your dreams come true.”
– Susan Rigato

“hEY WILSONS! Sorry its sucha tiny donation!! Will donate more when i am working full time again. So much going on with finishing work and preparing to move to canada.. I’ll buzz ya before i go xxxxx”
– MELISSA HOLDEN

“ ”
– Shirley & Phillip Price

“Such a positive attitude, how could one not support. Swim well. For Tilly, best wishes and love.”
– Joanne Cochrane

“What a lovely Auntie you are Janine and good luck with your swim.”
– Linda O’Connor

Christmas is fast approaching, shops are filling their shelves and Santa is getting ready for a 2011 Christmas.

This year we have been lucky enough to meet some beautiful Gold Coast community minded woman,  who have kindly offered their time and support with their annual fundraising event.  The ladies will be at the Christmas gift wrapping station near Myers, Pacific Fair busily wrapping Christmas gifts.   They have chosen to donate  the proceeds to Matilda’s Cause and with the money raised will be purchasing therapy & play based equipment for Matilda.

So if you end up using more sticky tape than wrapping paper,  and cant seem to get the ribbon wright please take your presents to the experts and have them wrapped by the best in the business.

Team Tilly Melbourne 2011

A big thank you to everyone that made it down to Melbourne’s Tan Track for this years Team Tilly event.   It’s because of your support that Tilly is able to access the equipment and therapy required to get Tilly up and about and this puts a huge smile on our little girls face, so our family can’t thank you enough.

The day would not have been a big success without the help from Sally, Nod, Julie, Steven, Cath, Ann, Mel, Darren, Naddy & Thomo you guys did an amazing job THANK YOU!

 And a big thanks to Annie for her world famous cup cakes!

-xxx-

Special THANKS to Hunter Promotional Products for the amazing Team Tilly 2011 caps & Jason from Bob Petigree Meats  for providing the sausages.  318 Victoria St North Melb & Shop 39 Queen Vic Markets.

Last year we raised enough funds to purchase Tilly a mobility walker, supportive seating system and a specialised potty, shower & bath chair.  From this, Tilly has found some independence in getting around the house in her walker, she can sit with her family at the dinner table in her new chair and has done a heap of poos & wees in her cool potty and the Wilson family are extremely  grateful for all our help and support.

This year Tilly is looking at purchasing a wheelchair, this is one of those big ticket items that can cost around $15,000. Our Government does help with part of the cost but there will be a pretty big short fall so all money raised with go towards Tilly’s wheelchair.

MESSAGES OF SUPPORT & DONATIONS

“MRT footy tipping is proud to be able to help our Till kick all her goals! Yeh Till!!!!”

– Sean Desbois

“Hi Tilly, I work with your Aunty Sal and she often tells me what an amazing little girl you are – I have seen some great pictures you have sent her. I hope this small donation goes a bit of a way to helping you out. Bec x”
– Bec Dahl

“You are beautiful Tilly Love and peace Ange”
– Sally Freeman

“Great event – well done Sally – Best wishes to Matilda”
– Peter Stratmann

“All the best Team Tilly on Sunday!”

– Diana Marco

“All the best Team Tilly!”
– Biljana Apostolova

“Go Team Tilly Go!!!”
– Camille Lynch

“All the best on Sunday, Team Tilly”

– Tina Rogers

“A great cause”
– Jason Walker

“keep up the good work Tilly and Angie, Nicole Ross + Kids”
– Nicole Sanfedele

“Thank-you to Sally for introducing this beautiful page to me. I apologise for not attending the Team Tilly Melbourne walk, but I hope my little contribution helps this inspirational/happy little girl.”
– Ashlee Woodhouse

“We Love you Tilly Sofia, Secret, Kaiser and Oskar”
– Tina Goetz

Tilly is the proud new owner of orthoptic boots, custom made by the talented hands at GB Orthopaedics.  ‘Tilly Boots’ are an attractive, practical, stabilising pair of shoes that give Tilly the extra support that is needed with an emphases on cute kid style and comfort.

As a mother of a 3 year old with Cerebral Palsy, I’m constantly cautious that Matilda ought to look the same as her friends, but I also need to make sure that extra supports are in place to help Tilly with her stability.  Tilly’s AFO’S (Ankle – foot orthosis)  are not always practical for when she goes on social outings so a funky pair of Orthopaedic shoes that are attractive looking, but have been specifically designed and custom made for children with disabilities was the best option for us.

As you can see from the photos these boots are just delightful and Tilly loves wearing them.  The team at GB Orthopaedics were amazing with their fitting, casting and the final result was very satisfying.

If you are considering or thinking of purchasing a pair of Orthopaedic shoes please call the team at GB Orthopaedics and have a chat to them about your Childs needs and chances are you will be as satisfied & thrilled as we were.

Well what a huge success the Burleigh Bunnings Sausage Sizzle turned out to be.  The Team Tilly crew started turning sausages at 8am and we sold out by 3pm with not a complaint,  just praise by all that enjoyed our snags.  

All money raised will now go towards purchasing Tilly new equipment.  The next bit of equipment we are aiming to purchase is a communication device costing around $10,000, so every bite did count. 

A big Thank You to Craig, Rhonda and the team at Cosmopolitan Living SEQ who kindly purchased all the sausages for the event and thanks to our Family and friends that came down for a famous Bunnings Sausage, it was great to see you their supporting Matilda’s cause.

And a  big thanks to Andy and Flavia Becke and Brad and Hannah Ryan for giving up their time on the weekend to BBQ sausages and feed the punters.

Easter Saturday, 23rd April 2011, ‘Team Tilly’ will be heading down to  Burleigh Bunning’s, 177-207 Reedy Creek Rd, Burleigh Heads for a huge cook up.  So come down and grab your snags this Easter Weekend.

 Every single bite will play a vital role in helping Matilda reach her goals.

A huge Thank You to all the Team at Cosmopolitan Living SEQ Pty Ltd who have kindly purchased our 72 kilos of Sausages in support of Matilda’s Cause.  Great Job guys! 

Bread purchased through Gold Coast Bakeries

And a  big thanks to Andy and Flavia Becke and Brad and Hannah Ryan for giving up their time this  weekend to BBQ sausages and feed the punters.

To read the full article – Tilly Flowers Gold Coast Bulletin

I would just like to let everyone know about the girls at Flowers on Q and their initiative that has been an absolute success  for Tilly’s fundraising.  During our fundraising drive the girls at Flowers on Q decided to start making ‘Tilly Flowers”, selling them for $2 with 100% of the amount going straight to Tilly’s fundraising.  Not only was I taken back by their generosity, but I was surprised at how much of a hit these ‘Tilly Flowers’ have become with their customers.  The girls at Flowers on Q have been donating their time and flowers to do some amazing fundraising for Tilly and to date have raised over $3,500.00.  So if you are ever in the area please visit the girls and check out the Tilly Flower display and tell them what a fantastic job they are doing or even better if you need a wonderful florist please give the girls a call or jump on to their web page and support  their amazing community spirited business.
Flowers on Q, Q Super Centre (Next to fruit market), Cnr Bermuda & Markeri St, Mermaid Waters, QLD

Phone: (07) 55721322
Email: sales@flowersonq.com.au

Well, we can happily say that Tilly is now the proud new owner of a “Kid Walk” all the way from the US of A. 

Kid Walk is an innovative mobility system that allows Tilly to have the freedom of exploration while supporting her upper body.  What this means for Tilly is she can now involve herself in activities with other children in an upright position, it  allows her to become a part of group activities, she can explore more, navigate her way around the house and most importantly it gives her some independence.  We now have to keep an eye on her at all times as this little hotstepper is starting to get her sticky fingers on everything.

So thank you to everyone that has supported Tilly in our recent fundraising efforts. You have all been a part of helping Tilly be the best she can be.  Since Tilly has had the Kid Walk we have already seen some nice improvements in her strength, mobility and motor skills.  

Well, what another great day for Team Tilly supporters.  Our little girl is so lucky to have such amazing friends, family & community support,  she is truly blessed.

We had a huge turn-out at this years Riverwalk, hosted by the Developing Foundation and we raised an overwhelming amount of money for Matilda’s Cause.  This is a massive boost for Tilly’s development and future, and allows her to have access to many more options.  Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we will not only be able to purchase Tilly a mobility walker, but we can now also provide for her, a supportive seating system and continue on with her therapies. Simply, what this means for Tilly is greater outcomes and success for our little girl.

To everyone that has been involved, fundraised, and become apart of Tilly’s network we THANK YOU!! What an amazing job you have all done.  Collectively, we managed to raise an enormous grand total of $25,000 !!!!

You have really put a big smile on a little girl’s face : )

‘Team Tilly’ Melbourne turned out to be far bigger event and more fun than ever expected.  On a  typical wet  Melbourne Saturday morning friend’s, family & pets braved the weather with umbrella’s in hand and gathered for a walk  at Melbourne’s Tan Track followed by coffee and cup cakes at the Tan Track cafe.  There was a huge turn out of over 6o ‘Team Tilly Melbourne’ supporters who raised on the day well over $3,000 and we are still counting. 

 So to everyone in Melbourne that has fund-raised, sponsored & supported friends, contributed to Team Tilly, raised awareness about our cause, we send you an enormous THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for being so awesome.  You have really made a huge difference in a little girls life!