A GRATEFUL mum from Rugby has raised over £8,000 in memory of her three-year-old daughter, in aid of the charity which supported her family in its time of need.
Lois Zapasnik’s little girl Elsa suffered from a rare genetic mutation which created profound disabilities and which ended her life too soon last summer.
Determined to do as much as possible for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in Coventry, where she has also become a trustee, Lois organised a fun-packed spring fete at Dunchurch and Bilton Cricket Club in Rugby which included games such as hook a duck and tin can alley.
There were arts and crafts for children to take part in, face painting, a Shetland pony, performances from SCDC dance school in Rugby and cheerleaders from JNB in Stratford, along with a surprise appearance from Princess Elsa from Disney favourite Frozen.
Lois, a solicitor at Blythe Liggins in Leamington where she is known by her maiden name Harrison, said: “Elsa was an incredible little girl and we will always be proud of our little fighter.
“Zoe’s Place provided invaluable support to Elsa and our family when we needed it most, and I will be forever grateful.
“In return, I hope to help Zoe’s Place in any way I can. The spring fete was a great success and my heartfelt thanks go to all those who made it possible and the many people who came along and supported it, while having a fun time.
“It has raised more than I expected and I hope to organise another one in the future.”
Zoe’s Place cares for babies and young children with life-limiting, life-threatening or complex conditions.
It is a registered charity and all its care is provided free of charge to families who need it. It could not carry out its work without the support of local friends, communities and businesses who raise funds in many different ways.
Lois added: “When we needed support, Zoe’s Place provided it in so many ways, such as looking after Elsa for respite overnight stays, which allowed us to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
“She also had a wonderful time at Zoe’s Place, engaging in activities that would not have been accessible to her anywhere else. The team at Zoe’s Place became part of our family and treated Elsa like their own.
“I will continue to help raise funds, and the profile, of Zoe’s Place, so more families like ours can benefit from their incredible work and to carry on the legacy Elsa created.”
Visit www.zoes-place.org.uk for more information.
