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Hope for Holly - Support Her and Her Family Through This Journey 💜

  • A new chapter for Holly - Thank you everyone!

      2 August 2025
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    Before we close this page, we just want to say the biggest thank you to every single person who supported Holly and our family during such a challenging time. Your donations have allowed Holly's family to be by her side when she needed it most 💜

    Because of your support, Holly will be getting a Rifton trike - a specially designed therapeutic tricycle that provides extra stability and support to help with mobility challenges. This will be something that will help give her back a sense of independence and the joy of being a kid, especially now that her beloved scooter and bike can no longer be used. 💜

    Holly is also booked in for a week long intensive private therapy course in Rotorua this January, where she will work to gain some movement in her left arm and hand.

    Through it all, Holly’s stayed her bright, cheeky self and we are in awe of her strength and bravery. We are so proud of her as she steps into this next chapter.

    Thank you so so much for being part of Holly’s journey. 💫

    Lots of love!

    Holly and her family x

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    • 16/08/2025 by Kelsey

      Hiya, you’re such an inspiration Holly. We are all so proud of you. And Fran you are an amazing Mum I look up to you.

      From your neighbour Kelsey and Nathan and the rest of the kids 🙂 it’s awesome seeing you around again.

  • 7 weeks post surgery - Final update

      15 July 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    Well that's a wrap!

    7 weeks post surgery and we had our final neurosurgery sign off and we are heading home from The Wilsons Centre on Friday.

    Holly is making progress everyday. She is attempting to run, she has figured out how to open pen lids with her left helper hand and yesterday was her first day without needing a nap.

    We are all looking forward to getting home and settling back in again. We cannot thank everyone enough for all of the support, love and care you have shown us.

    I will still be posting updates to my Facebook page so feel free to follow along 💕

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  • 4 weeks post surgery update

      24 June 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    Today marks 4 weeks since Hollys surgery. She is doing so well. She’s getting stronger every day and finding clever new ways to do things with one hand. She’s enjoying attending school up here, working hard in physio, and has her first pool session later this week.

    Thank you again to everyone who has supported us along the way and helped us stay together as a family throughout this whole journey. We’re so grateful for you all 💕

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  • Day 10 Post Surgery Update

      6 June 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    Holly is blowing us away. She is talking normally, her memory is great, she has already taken her first few steps which was a HUGE surprise, she has been back in the playroom and is still very much the same Holly that we know and love.

    We are heading to the rehab centre next week which is the best news we could have hoped for.

    This photo is from the morning of her surgery, delivering chocolates and letters to all the nurses. She really is one of a kind.

    Thank you again for all the messages of support we have received over the last few weeks. We are so grateful 💕

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    • 06/06/2025 by Chris

      Fantastic news !! Incredible. Huge smiles here - for all of you. Chris & Donna

  • Surgery Date Set

      18 May 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    Hollys surgery is scheduled for Tuesday 27th May. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers 🙏

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    • 18/05/2025 by Mary-Clare

      Thinking and praying for you all that Holly will be in the best hands with skilled surgeon and excellent nursing care. That you will both be surrounded by love and support from family and friends.

      That Holly will respond and exceed all expectations and be free of any post op complications.

      Much love and prayer.

    • 18/05/2025 by Chris

      Fran & Fraser - Holly is constantly in our thoughts. If the power of positive thought counts you will have a huge amount of that on the 27th. The sign on the fence at St Theresa's is evidence of the support and thought Holly's getting from there. All our love for the four of you - Donna & Chris

    • 21/05/2025 by Kelsey

      Thinking of you all everyday 💕

      - your wee neighbour Nathan x

  • Update

      3 May 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    We are still waiting for a surgery date which is incredibly hard not knowing when the next step will be, but we are grateful to be home in the meantime. Thank you to everyone again for supporting our family through this journey xx

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  • Thank you 💕

      3 April 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    We have arrived home & a massive thank you to St Theresa's School for welcoming Holly back with open arms. We wanted to share this video of the road that lies ahead. This family have been a huge inspiration for us and given us so much hope for holly ❤️

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd585Z0uQOw

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  • Update on Holly

      1 April 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    Holly’s next surgery is scheduled for the end of May. While we wait for the exact date, after spending 10 weeks at Starship Hospital we’ve decided to head home for a little while to recharge, spend time as a family, and gather strength for what’s ahead xx

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  • A Tough Update

      25 March 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    We got the news we never wanted to receive - Holly’s biopsy has confirmed Rasmussen’s encephalitis. We are now waiting for a date for her hemispherotomy surgery. This is an unimaginably difficult time, but we are holding onto hope and strength for Holly who continues to shine. Thank you for all your love and support—it means the world to us.

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  • Thank you again and an update

      16 March 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    Thank you again for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Holly had her biopsy on Monday and did really well. You would never know looking at her that she just had brain surgery. She is still happy, smiling and so positive everyday. Hoping to have some results next week 🙏

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  • A quick update

      4 March 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    After another MRI on Monday, the operation planned for tomorrow has been postponed until next Monday due to a few other emergencies coming in. The medical team is now taking this extra time to decide whether a much smaller biopsy than originally planned or a larger hemispherotomy is the best next step following the new results. We’ll update you as soon as we know more xx

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  • Thank you for your incredible support

      24 February 2025
    Posted by: Frances Dodge
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    We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported us during this challenging time. Your generosity, kind words, and encouragement have meant so much to us.

    We want to update you all on Holly’s journey. She is scheduled for a biopsy and removal of a portion of her parietal lobe on March 5th, which will help confirm the diagnosis of Rasmussen’s Encephalitis. This is an important step before we move forward with any larger surgeries, as we work towards the best possible outcome for Holly.

    We are staying hopeful and are incredibly grateful for the love and support from all of you. We will keep you posted as we move forward.

    Thank you again for being a part of Holly's journey.

    Lots of love Fran & Fraser.

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  • 💜 Thank You & A Little Update on Holly 💜

      14 February 2025
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    We are so incredibly grateful for the generosity and kindness shown by everyone who has donated to our Givealittle page. Your support means more than words can express during this difficult time, and knowing we have a community standing with us brings so much comfort.

    Holly has been keeping herself busy—she’s been attending art school classes at the hospital school, and she absolutely loves them! 🎨✨ She is a ray of sunshine and continues to stay so strong. We are all so, so proud of her. 💛

    We hope to share more updates with you next week.

    From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. 💜💫

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