A RAYLEIGH Primary School pupil who is facing up to the prospect of having her lower left leg amputated is looking to raise funds by completing 500 hops.

Elsie Harvey-Tait was born with congenital talipes equinovarus - more commonly known as clubfoot - and suffers with anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder as a result of the intensive hospital treatment she has endured since birth.

The complex case means Elsie may have her lower left leg amputated, but the inspiring seven-year-old refuses to be held back and her mother is proud to see the youngster looking to raise funds for the Head to Toe Clubfoot Charity on July 31.

Klaire Harvey said: “I’m extremely proud of her and reaching 500 hops would be quite an achievement.

“She has been practicing and it’s great that she wants to raise money. We had several fundraising things planned this year, like a charity football match, but they all had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Echo:

Inspiring - Elsie Harvey-Tait

“Although we talked to Elsie about fundraising events for next year, she was determined to do something this year and then said she is really good at hopping.

“Elsie’s favourite number is 444 and she was insistent she can reach that number of hops, so we have rounded it up to 500.”

Elsie, of Weir Gardens, Rayleigh, has abnormalities in both legs.

Her mother reveals clubfoot has resulted in Elsie excelling at hopping.

Klaire added: “Due to her left leg being affected, she doesn’t really use that leg much.

“She has to wear a leg brace but when that comes off, she hops everywhere.

“Elsie is such a determined girl and I’m so proud of her.”

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The Head to Toe Clubfoot Charity was established by Elsie’s parents earlier this year and is the only registered charity in the country set up by parents of a child with such complex neurological congenital talipes equinovarus and mental health issues.

But the Covid-19 crisis halted the newly-formed charity’s progress.

Klaire revealed: “We registered the charity in January and started to plough ahead with it.

“After getting some momentum going, the coronavirus pandemic stopped all of our progress. We are really pleased with the money that has been raised so far and every donation is so important.”

To donate to Elsie’s hopping challenge, visit tinyurl.com/y5kpqrfq.