A mum from Livingston whose three-year-old son is awaiting a liver transplant raised over £1600 last week to support other children with liver disease.
Darian Toall’s son, Wesley, has the rare disease, biliary atresia. “Ever since his diagnosis, my partner, James, and I have received information and support from Children’s Liver Disease Foundation,” says Darian. “This meant a lot to us as we came to terms with learning how to manage a serious and lifelong condition.
“So, I’ve always joined in with Big Yellow Friday, the charity’s annual fundraising and awareness day on the first Friday in March, as it’s a great way of shining a light on childhood liver disease, something so many people just don’t know about. This year, however, it has an added importance as Wesley was listed for transplant in December.
“Thankfully he remains his happy cheeky little self, but we know that we will need the support of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation more than even this next stage of our journey and I want the charity to be there for every family in our situation. So, I wanted to do whatever I could to support Big Yellow Friday this year.
“ We had a week of fundraising activity at Wexpresif Creative Arts Studios in Livingston where I work, and Wesley’s nursery and school, St John Ogilvie, also joined in. As well as raising money, teachers spoke with all the classes about liver disease in children and Wesley’ got to tour the school, receiving amazing support from all the children and staff which is so important in helping him realise he is no different from the other boys and girls – he just happens to have a poorly liver!
“I’m delighted to have received such fantastic support from our local community and to have played a part in helping other children like Wesley – the combined total of £1600 certainly exceeded my expectations!”
“Every year in the UK around 400 children are diagnosed with a liver condition for which there is still no cure,” says Michelle Wilkins, Head of Children’s and Families Services at Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, which has now merged with the British Liver Trust to bring children’s and adult liver support services together. “A diagnosis means a lifetime of medical care and the effect on families is devastating.
“Big Yellow Friday is a great opportunity to raise much needed funds and awareness of these little-known but complex conditions, so we are delighted to hear that Darian has joined in this way. Having a child on the transplant list is very tough and the fact that Darian has taken the time and trouble to support us in this way is truly inspiring. We are very grateful.”
You can still support Darian’s Big Yellow Week by going to Darian Toall is fundraising for British Liver Trust
