The family and friends of Ralphie Ellard hosted a “Rockin for Ralphie” music festival on Friday 10th November 2017 at the Ocean Room in Weymouth Pavilion. Over 250 people attended the evening and funds were raised via ticket sales, a huge raffle with over £1000 worth of prizes and a Prosecco Bar, which really helped to get everyone rocking on the dance floor. Over £4000 was raised for Ralphie Ellard at the event.
Ralphie was born two years ago with severe cerebral palsy and this affects his speech, muscle reactions, ability to walk and his ability to eat normally. Earlier this year Ralphie lost the ability to swallow food and is now fed through a nasal tube. At least 4 times a week Ralphie pulls this tube out of his nose and this is now leading to soreness and infection around his nasal passages. The consultants looking after Ralphie’s condition scheduled an operation for him on Monday 6th November to have a PEG fitted to his stomach. A PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) is a way of introducing food, fluids and medicines directly into the stomach by passing a thin tube through the skin and into the stomach. The operation was a success and Ralphie was able to attend the fundraising event for an hour.
Sian Ellard, Ralphie’s Mum said “We were originally fundraising for Ralphie to have his very own wheelchair which was adapted just for him and his needs; we are around half way there with all funds raised for Ralphie so far. As we go on this journey with Ralphie there will inevitably be other things that pop up that we need to fund for. Just as the most recent example, Ralphie had his PEG fitted. So we now have to purchase different style harnesses for all of his equipment. And these can become very expensive; the money we have raised at Rockin for Ralphie is really going to help with this.”
Sian went on to say “We hope to continue to raise much needed funds for Ralphie by holding other events locally. Our next idea is to hold an open to everyone fire walk. This is something that anyone over the age of 4 years can do, with trained professionals in charge of the walk, and providing health and safety advice before the event. We would also love to hold another band night, and at some point a family fun day. Thank you so much to everyone who came, everyone who donated prizes, the bands who provided their time for free, the security, the designers and printers, the volunteers. It means so much to see how loved our brave little boy is. Last but not least Ralphies’ family and friends who were amazing helping to organise the event and attending on the night, I really could not have done it without them and I thank them all from the bottom of our hearts. “
Local bands who gave their time free of charge were The Leggomen, Milk & Two, Under the Carousel, Hustle, Chloe Tom & Jack on the Box and Sooty’s Disco. Sponsors were the Weymouth Pavilion, Extra Mile Chauffeur Travel, UDL security, Popcorn Marketing, Dorset Abilities Group plus Sherrens for printing the posters and to Inked Engine for the design.
If you would like to know more about Raising for Ralphie please get in touch with Sian on 07713 811878
Donate at Raising for Ralphie: https://just4children.org/children-helped2017/raising-for-ralphie/
Follow Ralphie’s story on Facebook: facebook.com/raisingforralphie
