Petts Wood woman fundraising to 'fulfill the dream' for best friend's disabled daughter

Sian Sweetman, 47, and best friend Tina Santillli met in hospital through their children Abigail and Abbie, who both had severe learning disabilities.

Ms Santilli’s daughter Abbie sadly passed away two years ago and Ms Santilli is fundraising to thank her best friend for helping her through the past few years.

Abigail, 20, needs a hydro pool, which will allow her to get gentle exercise.

Her family clubbed together to buy it but Ms Santilli is collecting money to get it lowered into the ground, otherwise Abigail will not be able to use it due to her disability.

Mrs Sweetman, who lives in Crest View Drive, said: “We managed to get the money raised for the pool, but I didn’t realise how much it would cost to put it in the ground.

“I thought, what am I going to do, I can’t get her in and out of it.

“I was just telling Tina about the situation, we’ve known each other for 20 years, we met each other through our girls.

“And then Tina took me for lunch last week and said, I would like to do this for you, it’s your turn now Sian.”

Abigail’s disability means that she cannot walk very well, and she is at risk of early onset osteoporosis.

Her mum told News Shopper: “The one thing she absolutely loves in life is a swimming pool, even just kicking her legs, any kind of exercise is good for her.

“It was a burning desire for me to get her the pool, she won’t get married and she won’t get a car, so as a family we put our all in to this and thought, let’s live for the moment.”

Ms Santilli wrote on the fundraising page: "Two years ago my daughter died age 17, my best mate was there for me at a time when I though my world had ended.

"She went above and beyond to help me just get out of bed each day.

"It’s not just me she helps, she is literally there for any of her friends and family that need help.

"Now I would like to help her fulfill the dream she has for her daughter."

To donate to the fund visit the Go Fund Me page.