Hollys New Year message of thanks (From Western Telegraph)

Hollys New Year message of thanks

A nine-year-old Templeton girl who suffers from muscular dystrophy has a special New Year message of thanks for the local community.

Relatives, friends, neighbours, local residents and businesses rallied round to raise money for Holly Woodard and her family to go to Disneyland in Florida at the end of September.

Setting the fundraising ball rolling was her uncle Bob Fish, of Narberth, lead singer with the pop group Darts. In May, he completed a marathon cycle ride along the 500 miles of the Pilgrims Road, in Northern Spain. For Holly, the Disneyland trip was a holiday of a lifetime.

She was accompanied by her parents Marie and Neil Gouldingay, sister Chloe aged 12, and 22-month-old brother Joe.

I would like to thank everyone who made it possible for me and my family to go, said Holly, a pupil of Templeton CP School.

I had a wonderful time and met lots of different Disney characters including Rafiki, of The Lion King and the Raccoon from Pocahontas. It really was a holiday of a lifetime. Id like to thank my Uncle Bob for doing the 500 mile bicycle ride around northern Spain. It must have been very tiring. Hes the best uncle in the world.

I would also like to thank the Eastgate Hotel, Pembroke, and the Farmers Arms, Narberth, and their customers for raising so much money; George Scarr for having all his hair cut off and Midge the fireman for having his chest waxed; Bierspool in Pembroke Dock and Mikes Bikes, Haverfordwest, for sponsoring my Uncle Bob, and Templeton CP School for their support over the last 21 months.

Her mother Marie added: We would also like to express our thanks to everyone who donated towards Hollys special holiday and to all the people who worked so hard to get us there including Kathy Fordorn, Henry Longhorn, Ali Mills and Heather Fish.

We hope everyone has a wonderful New Year.