This weekend, we spent a beautiful, bright day in Essex at the Miracle for Maddi Charity Celebrity Football Match Fundraiser, held at the Maldon & Tiptree Football Club. It was one of those days where the sun shone just right, the air felt soft and warm, and the community spirit was truly something special.
We were there to support a cause that’s very close to my heart. One of my dear friends, Steve, is good friends with Maddi’s mum, Carina, an extraordinary woman who’s been working tirelessly, day and night, to raise funds for crucial clinical studies aimed at finding a cure for Maddi’s condition. It was through Steve that we were introduced to Carina and Maddie’s story, and this event was a beautiful coming together of friends, families, and communities united behind a shared purpose.
👉 Miracle for Maddi Website
💛 Rooting for Maddi
In 2016, Maddie, a young teenage girl, was diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia 15 (SPG15), an ultra-rare degenerative neurological disease. It affects the motor neurones in the central nervous system, leading to progressive physical challenges including tremors, mobility issues, and visual impairments. There is currently no cure.
Maddi’s family and friends have joined forces with researchers to fund gene therapy studies, paving the way for breakthroughs not only for Maddi, but for others with SPG15 and similar rare diseases. Their determination is truly inspiring.
Family Fun for a Serious Cause
I brought my daughters, Giorgia and Riya, along for the day, and it couldn’t have been a better family event.
The atmosphere was buzzing. There were food stalls (including a Chinese stand), a bouncy castle, face painting, a bar, and a big community raffle. Everywhere you looked, people were laughing, kids were running around with painted faces, and everyone seemed to share the same quiet understanding that they were part of something meaningful.
Steve was on hand, capturing the day through his lens, as always, doing a brilliantÂ
Our Contribution
As a small gesture of support, we donated to the fundraiser and contributed a £100 Nita McEvoy Beauty & Aesthetic voucher to the raffle prize pool.
It felt good to play even a tiny part in what is a monumental fundraising effort by Maddi’s community. Every pound raised brings them one step closer to advancing critical research.
Little Moments That Made the Day
Riya transformed into a mini jungle queen thanks to the face-painting stall, clutching her leopard toy “ChiChi” and beaming from ear to ear.
Meanwhile, Giorgia embraced the day in full rainbow glory, her smile says it all.
How You Can Help
We’ll absolutely be supporting future Miracle for Maddi events, and if you’d like to contribute too, you can find out more about Maddi’s story and make a donation here:
👉 Donate or Learn More
Together, every bit of support helps keep hope alive for Maddi and so many others facing rare diseases.
There are days that remind you of the power of community, and this was one of them. A glorious family day filled with laughter, football, and kindness, all in service of a young girl’s fight for a future.
We’re rooting for you, Maddi. 💛