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Riders saddling up to support little Millie

A team of charity bicycle riders have pledged thousands of pounds towards a life-changing operation for a two-year-old girl.

Published

Organisers of the annual Wolverhampton to Wales saddle marathon, which takes place on Friday, have agreed to hand over £2,000 from their adventure towards funding surgery for Millie Bea Hughes.

Millie Bea, from Abbots Bromley near Rugeley in Staffordshire, has spastic diplegia cerebral palsy but it is hoped the operation will mean she can walk one day.

The condition means the youngster has restricted muscle movement and relies on a walking frame or being supported to get around. Mother Natalie, who is a detective constable with Wolverhampton CID, and her husband Chris, have so far raised almost £17,000 through fundraising initiatives including cake sales and an 11-mile fun walk dressed as Disney characters.

A Just Giving webpage has also been set up to collect money for Millie' Bea's operation, which has a target of £40,000.

Once organisers of the cycle ride, which includes West Midlands Police inspector Greg Evans as part of the team, learned of the appeal they decided to allocate funds, despite already supporting 14 other charities.

Natalie, who has been with the force for 11 years, said the family were grateful for all of the donations and offers of help.

Generous

She said: "The support we have received from everybody has been overwhelming.

"Everyone has been so helpful and supportive.

"It is such a nice gesture from Greg and the organisers and we really appreciate it as they are already backing a number of other charities.

"My police colleagues have also been really generous and one officer, who is doing the Sandman triathlon in Anglesey, will be raising money towards the operation at the same time.

"It would mean so much to us all as a family for Millie Bea to able to walk like other children as she can't move freely at the moment.

"It would be great for her brother, Evan, too who is so caring towards his sister and helps her get things, if they could play together like other siblings.

"I have promised to do the bike ride next year as it is for such good causes."

The annual bike ride from Wolverhampton city centre to Aberdovey covers more than 100 miles and attracts more than 500 entrants a year with the aim of collecting cash for good causes.

It was initially started by a team of 30 bobbies but over the years it has been expanded to include all members of the force and the wider public.

Inspector Evans, of Force CID in Wolverhampton, said: "The aim of the bike ride is to be active and raise money for good causes. This is most definitely one of them.

"We were more than happy to donate the money and all Natalie's colleagues in Wolverhampton are fully behind her and Millie Bea."

To make a donation visit Just Giving website and type in 'Millie Bea's Walking Wish'.

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