Haywards Heath girl’s fifth birthday is a fundraising success

Molly McCluskey, who is five, has a hip condition which has meant several operations at Royal Alex Children’s Hospital as well as six months in plaster casts.

Her mum Sally McCluskey said: “Throughout all of this she has been, as many children are when in this situation, extremely brave and stoic about it all.”

Molly celebrated her fifth birthday on November 25 after starting school at Harlands Primary School earlier this year.

When Molly said she wanted a party in a hall for all her friends, her mum asked her if she wanted her friends to bring her presents, or if she would like them to bring money to help other children who need operations like she did.

Molly chose to help other children, and asked her friends to contribute to her fundraising efforts by donating money instead of bringing presents.

Sally said: “Her party was a huge success and I’m pleased to say that she has managed to raise £610 for STEPS, a lower limb children’s charity, and £140 for the Royal Alex.

“The charities are as thrilled as are we.”

As well as raising funds for STEPs and the Royal Alex, the family are hoping to raise awareness of Molly’s condition.

Sally said: “Congenital hip dysplasia is a condition that could do with more awareness as Molly’s condition was completely missed until she was two and a half.

“Every baby in Europe is screened with an ultrasound at birth, whereas our babies are only scanned if they have risk factors.

“Molly had all the risk factors but still slipped through the net.

“The incidence of children being diagnosed with this condition at an age where surgery is the only solution has not changed in 30 years in this country.”