Darts: Darts teams target bonus for Millie^s hospital
Darts players are joining forces to help raise money for a city toddler.
Millie Squires, of Pinhoe, is just 20-months-old and has spent the majority of her short life in hospital. She was born with serious gastric problems and also has no immune system to fight against germs. She has to be tube-fed as food goes right through her system, meaning that she was not growing or putting on weight.
Millie was treated at Bristol Royal Infirmary for the first year of her life, but after exhaustive tests she was referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
Her grandfather, Bob Sandford, of Whipton, has helped to organise the fundraising event.
Bob, 61, said: "By the time Millie was moved to London in December she was very poorly, severely underweight and undernourished. It was touch and go whether we lost our granddaughter.
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"She is getting stronger — it^s a slow process but there is hope that doctors can put her on a special course where she will be able to come back to Exeter and be at home and fed on a drip.
"Myself and the boys of Railway South darts team feel we would like to give something back to raise some badly-needed funds for the hospital."
Millie was born with a part of her intestines growing outside her body and needed an operation at birth.
Bob^s daughter and Millie^s mum, Emma Gill, 29, of Radfield Road, Exeter, has spent the last three months by Millie^s bedside in London. She also has a six-year-old son, Ellis, who is currently being cared for by Bob and his wife Glenda.
Competitions on the day of the knockout darts tournament will include four-person team, blind pairs and individuals.
Members of Exeter Sports Clubs^ darts league are each entering a team and with 15 already signed up, Bob expects the event to be a huge success.
The tournament has so far gained much support from local businesses and many sponsors have come forward to help by providing raffle prizes.
There is a signed Exeter Chiefs ball, tickets to an Exeter City match and signed ball. Gemini Taxis is giving away a free trip and Boots, Lloyd Maunder and a number of stores in Gandy Street are giving away shopping vouchers.
The Trophyman in Cowick Street will be sponsoring trophies for the winners and Hartnells butchers in Longbrook Street is providing 60 plated buffets for the day.
^Millie^s Fun Day of Darts^ will be held at the British Rail South Sports Club, Beacon Lane, from 11am-7pm on Saturday, March 14. For an entry or sponsorship form contact Bob Sandford on 01392 460072.
Story By: Express And Echo