Bop along for Sophie (From Gazette & Herald)

Bop along for Sophie

ROMANTIC "soles" are being encouraged to grab their loved ones and their dancing shoes then bop 'til they drop to raise money towards vital research.

Jacquie Gilbank, of Rillington, has organised a St Valentine's Day disco at Ryedale Indoor Bowls Centre, Scarborough Road, Norton, on Saturday, February 12 to raise money to find more about a rare condition her nine-year-old daughter suffers from.

Sophie Casper Gilbank has nail patella syndrome, a complaint that affects only one in 50,000 babies and means she has no fingernails, poorly-developed kneecaps, and could face blindness and renal failure in adulthood.

"I'm hoping to get as many people to come as possible," said Mrs Gilbank, of Woodlands Road, who has a second daughter Amy, five, and husband Steven.

"We'll be raising cash for two causes with this event because at the beginning of September my father, Steve Arnott, 63, of Scagglethorpe, suffered a brain haemorrhage. He was very, very poorly and he's lucky to be here.

''I'm going to split the money with Hull Royal Infirmary Neurosurgical Ward because the staff were terrific and gave him an incredible standard of care."

Sophie was diagnosed with the syndrome in July 2002 after an X-ray found she had under-developed kneecaps. She is a happy, bubbly child, but cannot play sports because her knees are prone to dislocation.

Sophie has to have yearly checks by an optician to check for glaucoma, which can cause blindness, and an orthopaedic surgeon to check her bones and joints.

The disco, which has been organised with the help of Malton women Christine Atkinson and Carol Butler, will run from 8pm to 1am. A buffet will be served. Tickets are £10.

To buy tickets call Mrs Atkinson on (01653) 693201 or Mrs Gilbank on (01944) 758486.

Updated: 15:08 Wednesday, February 09, 2005