Day packed full of support for Swaffham youngster Esmé Lambert
A day packed full of fundraising activities was held in Swaffham on Saturday to support a young girl who is undergoing chemotherapy.
Members of the community joined together for Esmé’s Fundraising Event at Stanley’s for two-year-old Esmé Lambert and her family, after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October last year.
The event, which raised more than £1,000, was the latest in a series of fundraisers in an appeal to raise £30,000.
Hils Genn, who is part of the fundraising team alongside Becky Genn, Ami Shaw and Leona Clarke, said: “When I first found out about Esmé it broke my heart.
“Esmé needs her family around her and the last thing they need to be thinking about is financial worries.”
During the day, there were stalls and children’s entertainment, and in the evening, it was a ticketed event with live music, a buffet and a raffle.
Hils said there were many people to thank, including Stanley’s, children’s entertainer Momentous, stall holders, Peppa Pig from Arnie’s Attic, solo artist Mike Pye, band Midlife Crisis, Rasputin Russian restaurant for the buffet, Millie’s Cards and Gift Store for the balloons, and Swaffham Lions, who provided raffle prizes.
The event came the day after Esmé received a message of support from wrestler and actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who voiced the character Maui in the Disney film Moana.
It was special to Esmé as she takes her Maui doll with her to hospital appointments.
Responding to a post about Esmé on Twitter, Dwayne said: “My Lord this story. Stay strong honey! Love, Maui.”
Hils said: “The family were amazed that The Rock sent a message and had taken the time to read her story.”
Anyone wishing to follow Esmé’s story and to keep up-to-date with events can do so by joining the ‘Fundraising for Esmé’ group on Facebook.
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/help-little-esme.