A CRAFT fair was held at the Parkhouse Centre in Bude on Saturday, March 30 to raise money for the Tiny Tickers charity.

Tiny Tickers are an organisation that support early detection rates of cardiac conditions in babies. They also support families that have been effected by their babies being born with heart problems. Spotting a defect early can improve a baby’s chances of survival and long-term quality of life.

Organiser of the craft fair was Alison Bensalhia from Tresmeer, who is indebted to the baby centred charity, as she has a one-year-old daughter who has been in and out of hospital due to ill health since she was born.

Alison explained that she wanted to be able to give something back to the charity that has helped her and her family ever since.

She said: “I have a one year old daughter who was born at home, she was later rushed to Derriford hospital.”

Mollie, Alison’s little girl has suffered from numerous illnesses such as bronchitis, and pneumonia that have all stemmed from having a weakened heart.

Around 6,000 babies are born with a serious heart defect in the UK each year, and around 1,000 of these newborns head home with no one realising their lives are in danger.

Alison continued: “Mollie has been so brave, she’s had a collapsed lung and she could have even died several times.

“It’s not just about the money, it’s also about raising the awareness of the brilliant work being done by a fantastic charity.”

The craft fair raised a total of £180.80 on the day, money that will be entirely donated to help babies.

The Tiny Tickers charity is entirely reliant on the generosity of its supporters to fund its work.

Alison continued: “I really wanted to give something back, they have doctors, support groups and a great Facebook group where people can post and ask question about anything that they might have concerns about.”

According to Alison the day wouldn’t have happened without the aid of Marie Covachich.

She said: “I couldn’t have done it without the help of Marie. She was great in helping with organising the day, as she does lots of charity events at the Parkhouse centre.

“I wanted to organise it for February but my daughter was ill so I had to postpone it to a later date, which is what Marie was so helpful with.”

Alison has plans to put on another fundraising event in the future, to raise money for the Happy Children Charity, who have also been a staple in Mollie’s treatment.