Birthday girl from Gosport gets more than 100 cards from around the world after plea

A YOUNG girl has been deluged with more than 100 birthday cards after her loving mum put out a plea on social media.
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Hope Ayres is set to turn 11 next week and her mum Natasha Kirkby, 42, feared she could end up in hospital again and miss out.

The Heathfield Special School pupil, of George Street, Gosport, has the rare medical condition Klippel Trenaunay Weber syndrome, caused by excess blood cells.

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This leaves her needing a wheelchair and unable to sit unaided due to malformations on her back caused by the condition.

Stephen Ayres and Natasha Kirkby with all the birthday cards.Stephen Ayres and Natasha Kirkby with all the birthday cards.
Stephen Ayres and Natasha Kirkby with all the birthday cards.

She is in and out of hospital frequently, so Natasha was concerned that she would be there again on her birthday next Thursday.

Natasha is currently administering IV antibiotics to Hope at home. Her condition worsened in December last year when the parents feared they would lose her.

They made the difficult decision to agree for medics to use the drug Sirolimus, improving her condition but leaving her with no immune system. She has also developed side effects including mouth ulcers.

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A small plea on Facebook reaped a huge reward, letters and presents coming thick and fast.

Postie Sarah arrives with the birthday cardsPostie Sarah arrives with the birthday cards
Postie Sarah arrives with the birthday cards
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Natasha was hoping a few Facebook friends would respond but within a few hours the post had ‘gone crazy,’ she said.

Her and dad Stephen Ayres, 37, have been blown away by the response - something they are keeping secret from Hope so as to surprise her on her birthday.

Natasha said: ‘After a really rough year I just wanted something special to make my beautiful little girl happy.

All the birthday cards.All the birthday cards.
All the birthday cards.
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‘I never expected this and Stephen and myself are really touched by the response.’

More than 100 cards arrived in just three days, as well as gifts that were purchased from an Amazon wishlist that a responder to Natasha’s post, Claire West, set up.

Well wishes and cards have come from as far as Australia – with more people roped in to help respond online to all the kind messages.

Natasha added: ‘Hope is so amazing, and despite her illness she is always smiling.

Stephen Ayres and Natasha Kirkby with their daughter, Hope.Stephen Ayres and Natasha Kirkby with their daughter, Hope.
Stephen Ayres and Natasha Kirkby with their daughter, Hope.
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‘She makes you laugh all the time and people say to me that after being in Hope’s company they feel that life’s pretty great.

‘We’re so overwhelmed and grateful to the people that have sent cards and gifts, I’ve even had people turning up social distancing at my door with presents for Hope.

‘Stephen and myself are amazed and deeply touched by people's generosity, we have felt so alone throughout lockdown, the only person who has been to our home is a nurse.

‘As well as the cards we have been gifted for Hope over 110 times on the Amazon wishlist, it restores your faith in humanity and you see how lovely people can be, and now I don’t feel so alone any more.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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