Ark bar to hold charity fundraiser for two-year-old girl

Delilah-Mai Baker suffers from infantile spasms and a number of other conditions, including bradycardia, microcephaly, visual and hearing loss, and low muscle tone, which has caused profound developmental delay.

Up until four-months-old, Delilah had been developing normally, starting to sit, smile and roll over, however, after a scan, it was discovered she had lesions on both sides of her brain and her skull had fused too soon, requiring brain surgery at specialist hospitals.

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Delilah-Mai Baker (Image: Mario Baker, Chloe Farrent)

An intracranial lesion, or brain lesion, is damage to the brain tissue because of illness, injury, disease or infection. 

Due to an unsafe swallow, Delilah has also spent lots of time in hospital with pneumonia and chest infections.

Delilah is now under hospice care, with her parents, Mario Baker and Chloe Farrent, being told she will not live out of childhood. Mario and Chloe are looking at treatments in other countries, but due to the high cost, are experiencing difficulties.

They said they hope to give Delilah "the very best while she is here with us".

Delilah is also a big fan of horse riding physio, which is funded privately by her parents.

Carl Millward, 47, is a family friend and decided to set up a fundraiser, to help with Delilah's treatment and specialist equipment costs, which Mario and Chloe are currently self-funding.

Carl approached Jason Wyatt, who owns The Ark Bar in London Street, to host a fundraising event on Saturday, November 4, where music will be playing and people are invited to attend for 'a great day of music and laughter'. The event will run from 4pm until 11pm.

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Carl said: "What we’re going to do is hold an event at The Ark Bar to try to raise money for this beautiful little lady, Delilah.

"This young lady’s family needs as much support as possible so they can help make Delilah’s life as safe, comfortable and enriched as they can."

Jason said: "I’m here to make a living, but I’m here to make a difference. The space here is available to use, and I'm more than happy to work with people on charity events and fundraisers and help out our community.

"If it raises awareness and money for local causes, then I'm all for it."

Carl added: "I love doing things for charity and I'm a big fan of music, and if we can combine the two to help someone who really needs it, then it makes it worth it."

The event is free, and donations can be made on the day.

Donations to Delilah can also be made online on Carl's Crowdfunding page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/carl-millward or at Delilah's GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/delilahs-dreams-come-true.