What We Do

The Five Stars Appeal is a charity raising funds for children in the North West who suffer with life changing or life threatening illnesses.

We help families raise funds to pay for medical treatment abroad as not all children can be treated in the UK for cancer related illnesses such as Neuroblastoma or conditions such as Cerebral Palsy.

Treatment available in USA or Germany can cost anything from £50,000 to £500,000 per child.

The parents and families of these brave little children do everything in their power to raise the funds themselves but it is difficult when also caring for your child who is ill as well as holding down a job and caring for the rest of the family.

The Five Stars Appeal can help with financial contributions as well as advice on how to raise funds and even help some families set up their own charity to help others in need.

If you would like to help Five Stars Appeal make a difference to the lives of children in need of treatment, please contact us today on 0161 798 8936 and we will be happy to discuss how you can get involved.

UPDATE: LEONS LIFE CHANGING OP A SUCCESS!!

One of Five Stars beneficaries, Leon was in need of help. He needed a life changing operation to help him walk again but when it was unavailable in the UK his family had to work hard and fund raise to get the money needed to send him for treatment in America.

Thanks to their hard work, fundraising and an extra £4000 from Five Stars, Leon was able to go to America for his much needed operation.

We are pleased to report that Leon is home and well after the operation. His Doctor predicts that Leon will be able to walk unaided in around 6 months. Leon also managed to stand for 5 seconds.

This is amazing news and a huge personal achievement for little Leon

Leons mum, Danielle said 'We thank you so much for your support and feel so grateful to everyone who has shown the unbelievable support during our fundraising. Leon's life will and already has changed forever '

Every one at Five Stars wishes Leon a speedy recovery and all the best for the future!

Find out more about Leon below

 Helping Children with Life Changing & Life Threatening Illnesses

 As a small Manchester based children’s charity, the Five Stars Appeal has given more than £3million to the local children’s hospital.  Over the last year we have totally reviewed the charity’s operations and have completely replaced the Board of Trustees. Our priority now is to get as much money as possible to the children we aim to support.

The Five Stars Appeal raise funds for children in the NW with life changing or life threatening illnesses. We aim to help families who are raising funds to pay for treatment abroad as not all children can be treated in the UK due to the treatment not being available here.

Treatment abroad can cost anything from £50,000 to £500,000. The parents and families of these brave little children do everything in their power to raise the funds themselves. We help with financial contributions as well as advice on how to raise funds and even advise some families on setting up their own charity.

We also aim to help raise funds for research in to cancer as well as raising awareness of Neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer that affects children under the age of five. Not enough is know about this particular cancer and we would like to help change that.

     Give Leon Hope

 At the age of 18 months, Leon’s future was restricted when he was diagnosed with Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy. His disability became apparent through development delay and an increase in the level of spasticity (tightness of muscles) in his legs. Following a routine brain scan, it was
established that Leon had a congenital brain condition named Dandy Walker Syndrome. Dandy Walker Syndrome involves the cerebellum (an area at the back of the brain that controls movement, balance, speech and muscle control.

The treatment Leon needs is not available on the NHS and he has to travel to America for treatment that involves cutting the sensory nerves in the spinal cord which send these abnormal signals from the brain to Leon’s legs telling them
to permantly contract. This procedure has been proven to permanently reduce spasticity which in turn will significantly reduce, if not eliminate, pain and discomfort caused by the increased tone. This procedure has also been proven to improve balance, speech,
toilet training ability and will undoubtedly change Leon’s life and give him the chance to walk independently.

The Five Stars Appeal are happy to announce we have donated £4000 to Leon and he is now able to travel to America for life changing treatment. Good luck Leon!!

My name is Izzy and I’m nearly four.

I’ve got a twin sister called Gabby and a big brother called Charlie. Me and Gabby look a bit like each other but we’re not the same because I’ve got cerebral palsy in my legs, so I can’t walk very well. When we’re at nursery, sometimes we have to do dancing which I enjoy, but because my legs are stiff I can’t put my feet flat on the floor, I have to just watch. I have to wear special boots called Piedro boots because normal ones from the shoe shop just keep coming off. At Christmas the doctor put some special casts on my legs to try and stretch them. I had to wear them all day, even in bed! They weren’t very comfy but because they were pink I didn’t mind. What I didn’t like was when it snowed I couldn’t go outside and play with Charlie and Gabby because my wellies wouldn’t fit over them.

Mummy and Daddy have been on the computer talking to a different doctor in America who has done a lot of operations on other girls and boys so they can put their feet flat. If we get enough money I would like to go to America to see if he can fix my legs so that me and Gabby can wear the same pretty shoes and I can stop falling over all the time.

Izzy needed £50,000 by the end of November 2011 for treatment in America. Izzy's family and friends raised the funds needed, with the help of a £2000 donation from Five Stars, so Izzy will be off to America in January 2012. Good luck with the operation Izzy! We will be thinking of you.

Latest news - Izzy's treatment was successful and now Izzy can walk just like her sister and ride a bike. Keep up with Izzy's progress http://www.facebook.com/izzy.appeal

 Maddi Allan

In memory of the brave and beautiful little Madison Allan who lost her battle on Boxing Day 2011 aged 7, we will help Maddi’s family raise awareness and funds for research into the aggressive form of cancer, Neuroblastoma To give you an idea as to how special this little girl was, Maddi, with the help of Micro-P, friends and family, raised over £50,000 towards the Five Stars Scanner Appeal. We want to help Maddi’s family in their battle to inform other families of the effects of Neuroblastoma and the possible treatments available abroad if they can’t be treated in the UK. www.maddisbutterflies.org.uk

Cheque Presentation to Maddi's Butterflies

Nicola Smith and Charmaine Wilkinson have handed over a cheque for £10,000 to Maddis Butterflies on behalf of the Five Stars Appeal. Everyone at Five Stars is proud to have supported Maddi and will never forget her. Maddi was brave and touched the lives of those around her.

Maddi sadly lost her battle to neuroblastoma on the 26^th December 2011 but the money will now go towards helping children with this aggressive form of cancer and offering them treats and holidays as well as support for the families.

 We have many kind hearted people, celebrity ambassadors & patrons who are enthusiastic and willing to lend their support.  They are generous with their time and money but also help us to keep the message fresh and in the public eye.  Some of these patrons are Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, Take That, Joe Akka of Panacea and Miss Manchester 2011 Nicola McConnell to name a few. 

 If you would like raise funds for the Five Stars Appeal and help children with life changing & life threatening illnesses, please call our office on 0161 798 8936 where a member of our friendly team will be happy to help you.

Kind regards

Nicola Smith
Director of Fundraising
The Five Stars Appeal
0161 798 8936
Nicola@fivestarsappeal.co.uk

 DONATIONS MADE BY THE FIVE STARS APPEAL

1977-2012

 TOTAL       £3,604,155.00