Life savers call on community to help raise funds for Ellie
Dartford’s firefighters have launched a brand new fun community event in the hope of raising funds to support a colleague’s daughter. Who needs acute health care and support after a life of seizures and more recently suffering a stroke.
23-year-old Ellie Boakes, the daughter of Dartford Watch Manager Dave Boakes, has suffered with small seizures all her life. At 17, she suffered her first ‘big’ seizure and despite receiving a wide range of medication under Kings College Hospital, she continued to have complex partial seizures two to three days a week.
Unfortunately, during a routine operation to remove the right temporal lobe (the part of the brain where the seizures were starting from), Ellie suffered a stroke and now needs daily physio, costing between £50-60 per session.
Dave’s friends and colleagues at the fire station on Watling Street, Dartford decided they wanted to do something to help make a difference. They are hoping to bring the community together and raise funds to help Ellie.
Dartford Crew Manager, Richard Emery said: “Dave has served the community and people of Kent and Medway for over 20 years. He’s put his life on the line to help save others and we’re hoping people will want to help by supporting our fundraising fun day.”
The event is on Friday, 1 September at Dartford Football Club, Grass Banks, Darenth Road, Dartford DA1 1RT. There will be games and activities for children as well as face painting, a bouncy castle, ice cream and burger stalls, 5-a-side football and much more. Children can have their photo taken with the fire engine and even have a go at putting out pretend fires.
The evening entertainment starts at around 5pm with a bar and live music. Tickets are £10 each, (under 16’s go free) and are available from the fire station or by email.
Richard ended: “We wanted to do something the whole family, including the children, can enjoy. Please support us by buying tickets and coming along on the day. We’d also love to hear from anyone wanting to make a donation or who is able to provide a raffle prize.
“All the money raised will be used to help Ellie continue her physio. She has been working so hard and this would mean such a lot to her.”
Get tickets here or make a donation. You can also contact Dartford Fire Station in Watling Street, Dartford, Kent DA2 6EG