Sugababes make Sian's day (From Times Series)

Sugababes make Sian's day

9:26am Sunday 18th May 2008

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A four-year-old from Abbots Langley had the chance to live every girl's dream when she was invited to a celebrity-packed charity ball in London.

Sian Moorcroft, who has Intermediate (Type II) Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), which has left her unable to walk or stand due to her weakened muscle structure, was an ambassador for the Caudwell Children charity at the star-studded event.

In fact the black-tie event was so well attended by celebrities that her mum, Emma and dad, Craig, 36, were not allowed to take a camera with them.

Instead, Sian was papped by photographers from OK! Magazine, alongside Whitney Houston, the Sugarbabes, Boyzone and Ronan Keating, who surprised her with a kiss.

Emma, 32, said: "It was just amazing, Caudwell Children has supported us for more than three years, they have helped us with Sian's equipment, we could not afford the bath, which they bought for her and they helped us with her wheelchair. In November they are taking us to Florida.

"When we were asked if Sian would be an ambassador and attend the ball, we were very excited."

Caudwell Children was founded by John Caudwell, former boss of the mobile phone empire the Caudwell Group.

The charity helps children with life-limiting conditions to buy specialist equipment, treatments and therapy, to improve the quality of their lives.

Twelve families were chosen to represent the charity as ambassadors at the event in Battersea Park, where a total of £1.4 million was raised.

Emma said: "The whole place was just filled with celebrities. We left at 2.30am and Sian did not want to leave.

"She got to meet Whitney, Dave Guest - the place was full of old legends. John Caudwell came up to Sian and said she was their special guest, he kept checking to make sure she was alright and so did the Cheeky Girls, who adored her.

"It was so surreal to be on the dance floor with Louis Walsh on one side of you and Mickey Rooney on the other."

Emma explained that in the space of 20 minutes, celebrities had bought 19 wheelchairs during an auction.

She said: "I was crying at that point. You struggle with the conditions but for these people to buy the wheelchairs, that means so much. It was a truly amazing evening.

"It is hard to put into words what a charity like Caudwell Children does for us. It makes Sian's life so much easier.

"If it was not for John Caudwell paying for medical people to come with us, we would never be able to take Sian on holiday.

"We really appreciate it and Sian spent all weekend making the biggest thank you card and sent it to John himself."

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