On October 30, 2015, the Sheffield-based charity, Eden Dora Trust, held a very special tea for 80 guests hosted by one of their patrons, cricket great Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff. Their special guest and patron Louis Tomlinson was thrilled to be able to attend the Tea on one of his very rare days off, for his dear friend Eden Dora, the namesake of said charity. Louis stated that he was ..”very excited to be in Sheffield and had been looking forward to this event and their show that One Direction would be giving the next day!”
Organizers of the Tea event and founders of the Eden Dora Trust were Eden’s parents, Phil and Petrina Goldman, (Petrina, pictured above with Eden, patrons Andrew Flintoff and Louis Tomlinson), who set up the charity in 2014, after their six year old daughter, Eden, became seriously ill with Encephalitis. The Trust was created to support children and families with Encephalitis, a life-threatening and somewhat rare disease usually contracted from a virus. To date, The Eden Dora Trust is the only charity in the UK dedicated solely to children who suffer from this illness.
The charity aims to help make life better and easier for the children and families affected by providing help, information, research and rehabilitation so they feel less isolated, different, misunderstood and alone. The Eden Dora Trust is also raises funds for research in the disease of Encephilitus hoping to save more lives and reduce the severity of an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) for a child. More about Eden Dora Trust may be found at http://www.edendoratrust.org
When Eden was was struck with the illness, after suffering major seizures, she had to learn how to talk, walk, and left her with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) which has affected her development. Louis was asked by Petrina if he would be a patron of their charity several years ago, and when he met Eden he was struck by all the obstacles she faced daily with such bravery and admired her joyful spirit, that he became quick friends with her and has taken an active interest in her progress and in her life.
Eden was very excited to greet her guests for the special Tea, held at Whirlowbrook Hall. After pictures and some autograph opportunities for her guests, they had a lovely tea together and afterwards, “Freddie” Flintoff held an auction to raise additional funds for the Trust.
Louis and Eden sat together.
Eden having a teatime chat with Louis.
It was a very successful event, raising funds for Eden Dora Trust, while getting in a great visit with special friends and supporters.
The next day, Eden came to watch Louis and the rest of One Direction in their Sheffield show, where she and her mum, Petrina, had a chance to get a picture with One Direction before the show.
For more information on how you can become involved in the charity, get help if you or your loved one is affected with the disease of Encephalitis, or make a donation, please visit the website: www.edendoratrust.org
Flashback :Louis Tomlinson Gives His Support to Eden Dora Trust Charity Tea On October 30, 2015, the Sheffield-based charity, Eden Dora Trust, held a very special tea for 80 guests hosted by one of their patrons, cricket great Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff.