Members of the Northern Ireland Prison Service are taking a giant step forward to raise money for the Natasha Falls Appeal.

They have organised the Natasha Falls “Journey of Hope” Challenge Walk at the Giant’s Causeway on August 25 as part of the fund-raising drive to help provide specialised medical care for the young Ballygowan girl who suffers from a rare genetic disorder.

Little Natasha, who is 17 months old, has been intensive treatment at the Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago since June, but is due to return to Northern Ireland in September.

She is only one of four children in the world that suffers from the mosaic form of 18q deletion, a rare chromosome disorder. One of the symptoms of the disease is the occurrence of regular epileptic seizures.

Natasha’s aunt Leeanne Hampton, a prison officer in Magilligan, said she had reacted positively to treatment in Chicago but had suffered a setback after contracting pneumonia.

“Unfortunately Natasha is in the Intensive Care Unit at present but before that she had been responding well to her therapy. She is returning home in September but we hope to get her out to Chicago again so it is vital that we continue to raise money.

“We are appealing to everyone to come along and support the Causeway Challenge. There are three different walks – two miles, six miles and 12 miles – and it is open to everyone to take part.”

The “Journey of Hope” Appeal has so far raised around £65,000 but much more is needed to allow Natasha to continue the treatment that would vastly improve her quality of life.

Notes to Editors

• Leeanne Hampton is available for interview about the Causeway Challenge. Anyone wishing to speak to her can contact the NIPS Press Office on 02890 520938.
• There are three challenge walks of different lengths, all starting at the carpark in the village of Portballintrae on August 25. The first walk begins around 11.30am.

Related Link - http://www.natashafalls.com/

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