Mark Little’s charity event at the Dolphin Inn, Rock a Nore, for his granddaughter Scarlett Rose.

 

Mark Little, owner of the Dolphin Inn, tells HOT’s Chandra Masoliver about the charity events on Saturday 4 October. All his family are involved in  raising money for Scarlett’s treatment, and for The Ronald McDonald House Charities. 

 

CM: Mark, please tell me what happened to Scarlett, how she is now and what she needs?

ML:  In May 2024, during what should have been a normal gymnastics class, Scarlett suddenly collapsed. At the hospital it was discovered she had a major brain bleed, so she was transferred to Kings College Hospital in London where she underwent two life-saving surgeries. Doctors diagnosed an A.V.M (Arteriovenous Malformation). Scarlett was born with this condition, but there were no previous symptoms, suddenly she had a seizure in the car park.

Surgeons removed most of the AVM, but some of it remained. Initially, there was hope that the remaining section would shrink and die away on its own. Sadly, because of the surgeries, Scarlett developed a severe skull infection. Since then she has endured five further operations, including the removal of part of her skull, skin grafts and the insertion of a titanium plate.

Recently we have learned that the A.V.M is still present, although it is now significantly smaller. As a family we are facing difficult decisions about the next step. One would be radiation therapy, or major surgery again. They would open her head, and that would risk infection.

Scarlett now lives with left sided Hemiplegia and Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy as a result of the stroke she suffered. There is very little support through the NHS for children recovering from strokes, so we made the difficult decision to seek private care. Neurokinex is an excellent Rehabilitation  Centre which has been vital  for Scarlett’s recovery, but it does come at a significant cost. We want to thank everyone who has contributed to Scarlett’s recovery. Your generosity makes a huge difference.

Finally, as October is A.V.M, awareness month we hope Scarlett’s story will also help raise awareness of this rare condition and the urgent need for better support for children recovering from strokes.

CM: What are The Ronald McDonald Housing Charities, and how have they helped you?

ML: It’s wonderful, they’ve got a very large building right next to Kings College Hospital. Relations can stay there for free, it’s all run by volunteers. Her parents Laura and Lee stay there, and so do Maureen and me.

CM: What is the walk from Kings College Hospital London to the Dolphin Inn?

ML: Seven local people are starting off the walk on October 1st from Kings College Hospital and arriving at the Dolphin Inn on October 4th.

 

 

The first stop is at Orpington, they’ll stay the night in a Scout Hut. On the second night someone has given them the use of their wood in Tunbridge Wells. The third stop is at the camp site at Bodiam.

Lee and I will be putting up tents, cooking for them, and giving them a packed lunch as they go on their way. They will arrive at the Dolphin around mid day, and then the event kicks off.

 

 

CM: And what are you planning at the Dolphin?

ML: we’ve got lots of events.

There are people in the old-fashioned stocks and you can throw wet sponges at them. Local people are having their hair shaved off. You can guess how many bottle tops there are in a jar. There’s the quiz game of Play Your Cards Right.

All of these have prizes.

And then there’s the raffle, with amazing prizes, and so many of them. All local businesses have given prizes, almost every pub and restaurant in Hastings have given support and meals. Local people have been really good.

Britvic supplied the top  prize: two tickets for the O2 Hospitality Box and the VIP Lounge to see  Benson Boone.  You sit with the stars, food and drink included, that’s worth over a thousand pounds!

Then the chef David Jordan, seen with James Martin on Breakfast TV and on Master Chef, has donated to cook the winner of this prize a three course meal for two in their home. He had a restaurant at the Shard, and The Forge, in the City. He’s a childhood friend of mine.

And there’s a signed Crystal Palace T-shirt.

CM: what ways can people contribute?

ML: you can go to GoFundMe online, and key in Scarlett Stockley

And you can donate at the Dolphin with cash or cheques.

Address: 11-12 Rock A Nore Road, Hastings, East sussex, TN34 3DW,

Or phone the Dolphin 01424 434326

 

Also in: Campaigns

‘Solidarity Sukkah for Gaza’ this October »