Community Link Foundation helps Charlotte access life-changing therapy

A ‘tough, resilient little girl’ who loves life is able to access sessions at a therapy centre thanks to funding from Community Link Foundation (CLF).

Three year old Charlotte is attending specialist therapy sessions at Rainbow Hub in Mawdsley and her mum is already seeing the benefits.

Born with complex medical needs, Charlotte has faced more challenges in her young life than many will in a lifetime. But thanks to donations from the public to CLF, the Trustees were able to support an application from mum, Cate, to fund the sessions.

Charlotte’s diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome came as a complete surprise post birth but ‘she is one of the best things to have ever happened’ to her family. Soon after her birth, doctors discovered that she had a large Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA), a heart condition that required surgery. Those early months were extremely tough, as Charlotte slept most of the time and struggled to feed. She underwent heart surgery in August 2022 and has since been discharged from cardiology.

But her journey has continued to be far from straightforward.

Charlotte suffered from severe, persistent vomiting that made physical development difficult, especially during physiotherapy. Her condition – ketohypoglycaemia – means she is at risk of rapid blood sugar drops when unwell, often resulting in hospital admissions. After months of advocating for answers, her mother finally secured a review of her ongoing stomach issues, which led to the discovery of a serious twist in her bowel. Charlotte had surgery for this in November 2024, during which she also had a Mic-Key button fitted to help with feeding.

Although she now drinks specialist formula milk, she still refuses water and solid food, likely due to the trauma of frequent vomiting in her early life, leading to sensory food aversion.

She also faces the daily challenges of hypermobility and weak muscle tone, with knee and hip joints that frequently dislocate. She is under the care of orthopaedic consultants and will soon be fitted with a hip brace to wear at night as she builds strength through therapy. It is likely that she is going to need several major operations in the future or it is likely that she will develop arthritis at an early age due to the joints moving out of place.

Thanks to the funding from Community Link Foundation, Charlotte now attends Rainbow Hub, where she receives expert therapy in a setting she loves. Her face lights up when she arrives, and each session is helping her grow stronger, more mobile, and more confident.

Enda Rylands, Chair of Community Link Foundation, said: “Charlotte is such a determined little girl who has been through so much in her four years and we are really proud to support her and look forward to following her progress.

“Rainbow Hub offers vital therapy that makes a real difference in a child’s development, and we’re pleased to play a part in helping Charlotte continue her journey with the support she needs.”

Charlotte’s mum is incredibly grateful for the support that has helped her daughter access the therapy she needs.

Cate said: “These sessions mean the world to me. To see Charlotte so excited to go through the doors of Rainbow Hub and to know she’s getting stronger each time is just amazing. I’m so thankful to Community Link Foundation for making this possible. I can’t tell you how much of a difference it is already making with Charlotte’s development.”

If you are able to support Community Link Foundation so we can help more people in our community, please consider signing up to our monthly lottery – Southport Community Lottery – or make a donation.