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Walsham-le-Willows community invited to free family-fun day for Elodie Waugh




A free family fun day is set to take place in a Suffolk village to thank the community for their support during a youngster’s two-year medical battle.

Elodie Waugh, six, of Walsham-le-Willows, near Bury St Edmunds, is being honoured on July 7 with a free family-fun day at Walsham-le-Willows Sports Club.

Elodie was diagnosed with the rare blood condition aplastic anaemia aged four, following liver and bone marrow failures in July 2022.

The Waugh family of mum Kayleigh, Elodie, Oscar and dad Ali. Picture: Submitted
The Waugh family of mum Kayleigh, Elodie, Oscar and dad Ali. Picture: Submitted
Elodie Waugh, six, received the all clear from a rare blood condition in April. Picture: Submitted
Elodie Waugh, six, received the all clear from a rare blood condition in April. Picture: Submitted

Her treatment included multiple month-long hospital stays, chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and more than 50 blood transfusions.

Two years later, Elodie is now free from the serious illness and her mum, Kayleigh, along with a planning committee, has been busy organising Elodie Day – a fun event to say thank you for the village community’s support during difficult times.

“It’s our way of saying thanks,” Kayleigh said. “Everyone involved has been so generous with their time and donations to make the day so special.

Elodie with her brother Oscar. Picture: Submitted
Elodie with her brother Oscar. Picture: Submitted

“I know when everything was going on, while we were in and out of hospitals, I just kept thinking about how I was going to say thank you to everyone – and this is finally it.

“Elodie is super excited for it, she keeps mentioning it to everyone we see – she says ‘have you heard of Elodie Day?’ and ‘are you coming to Elodie Day?’.

“I think we’re all just really excited to have so many people all in one place for a really fun day of celebrating.

“We’re not charging anyone during the day but there will be buckets to raise money for My WiSH and Rainbow Ward.”

Elodie and Oscar are both looking forward to the upcoming event in Walsham-le-Willows. Picture: Submitted
Elodie and Oscar are both looking forward to the upcoming event in Walsham-le-Willows. Picture: Submitted

The day, from 12pm to 4pm, will include inflatables, Zumba, a princess appearance and a dog show, which are all free.

There will also be free ice cream for children as well as face painting of rainbows, reflecting the day’s colourful theme and the Rainbow Ward, where Elodie spent much of her time during her treatment.

Funds raised from the day will be put towards a portable interactive projector at the ward, to allow children who cannot leave their rooms to have engaging activities from their hospital beds.

The event will also include a raffle with more than 40 prizes, including a two-night stay at Ickworth Hotel, a weekend away in a caravan for six people, a full year gym membership, tickets to Newmarket Racecourse, Jimmy's Farm tickets, restaurant vouchers, hampers and more.

Raffle tickets are being sold for £5 at Clarks of Walsham and JJ’s Beautique, in the village, while tickets can also be bought at the event.

For more information, visit Elodie's Aplastic Anaemia Journey Facebook page.