A COMMUNITY is pulling together to raise funds to help a disabled four-year-old and her friend gain independence.

Millie Lecont, of Oak Tree Close, Loughton, suffers from Prader-Willi syndrome, which is caused by a gene defect that affects part of her brain and means she is wheelchair-bound, constantly hungry and finds talking difficult.

Her mother, Patsy Lecont, 38, said: “It affects every area of her life. She’s never aware that she’s full up, which breeds food issues, her speech is quite behind, she gets tired very easily and she’s still in nappies.

“She’s had to have two operations in the past, but she takes it all in her stride. She’s very happy and a very sociable little girl.”

Mrs Lecont is organising a fun day in Loughton, which she hopes will raise money towards equipment such as a special tricycle to help her move around on her own.

“Because Millie’s got special needs, everything costs a lot more money,” she said. “A tricycle is £1,137 and a special needs potty is £182. Everything is so expensive, but she needs it to get on with her life.”

The fun day will also raise money for Millie’s friend Grace Axford, from Kent, who is the same age as her and also has Prader-Willi syndrome.

“They send each other letters and talk on the phone,” said Mrs Lecont. “They’re such a joy, the pair of them, and they’re very loving children.”

The fundraising day will take place at the Grosvenor Hall in Grosvenor Drive, which its owners are letting the families use for free, and Mrs Lecont has been given free advertising flyers from a local printer.

“People are being really helpful,” she said. “Millie is a local child and all the kids around here know her.

“There are a lot of children in the street we live in and every single one will take her for walks in her wheelchair and they have all tried to learn sign language. There’s a real sense of community around her.”

The fun day will take place on September 3 from noon to 4pm and attractions will include a DJ, children’s games, face painting, a football penalty shoot-out and refreshments.

For more information on Prader-Willi syndrome, visit www.pwsa.co.uk.

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