Race against time to save baby Audrey's life (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)
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Race against time to save baby Audrey's life
4:30pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in News
Race against time to save baby Audrey's life
A CHARITY is in a frantic race against time to save an African baby girl who desperately needs a life-saving operation.
Little Audrey Ado has just weeks to live unless aid workers can raise £1,300 to pay for an op on her spine.
The five-month-old tot was born with spina bifida which was left untreated because her family are too poor to pay for medical aid.
Now Thorpe-based charity Benin Christian Support has launched a mercy mission to save the youngster.
It has already helped scores of people in the impoverished west African country.
But charity workers know time is running out for Audrey, who has a huge growth on the base of her spine.
Audrey's mum contacted the charity after hearing about another child they were helping.
Thirteen-year-old Elis faced a lifetime of begging after being crippled by a hit-and-run driver five years ago.
The charity raised £1,500 for operations on his deformed legs.
Maureen Sanders is part of a team going out to Benin early next month.
They hope to visit Elis who is due to leave hospital soon.
"Baby Audrey's mum heard we were helping with that operation," she said.
"She went to see the doctor and said 'Please help me - I don't know what to do.'
"We need to raise the money as soon as possible because without it this child is going to die."
Maureen hopes to get the cash within two weeks so the team can take it out to Benin with them.
The volunteers pay their own way so every penny goes to good causes.
Donations can be sent by cheque payable to Benin Christian Support to Maureen Sanders, BCS Treasurer, 23 Abbey Crescent, Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex CO16 0LH.
For information call 01255 862618.
• The charity is staging a fundraising talent night for youngsters aged 5-18 at Thorpe village hall this Friday from 7-9pm.
There are instrumental, dance, drama and singing categories. It costs £4 to enter and contestants must register by calling Gill Kendall on 07967 512252 by October 25.
