A MUM is raising funds for a national charity that carries out life-saving research into illnesses affecting babies, children and mums-to-be.

Cambs Times: Nicky Elmer and her baby Grace.Nicky has organised a fund raising night to raise money for Sparks,Nicky Elmer and her baby Grace.Nicky has organised a fund raising night to raise money for Sparks, (Image: Archant)

Nicky Elmer, from Three Holes, along with her work colleagues, have organised a live music event to raise money for children’s medical research charity, Sparks.

Nicky was inspired to raise money for the charity after her daughter Grace was born with a large arachnoid cyst on her brain.

The live music event will be held at Wisbech Town Football Club on Sunday August 4 at 7pm. Tickets cost £5 on the door.

Bands The Brink, Undercovered and The Pauper Kings will be playing. The event will coincide with the annual Wisbech Town Legends vs Committee match which will also be raising money for Sparks.

Nicky said: “After 29 weeks of a difficult pregnancy we were advised by my consultant that they had discovered a dark area on my daughter Grace’s brain.

“The doctors were unable to tell us what it meant as ultrasounds on unborn babies brains are not clear. Thankfully we were entered into a research study at Sheffield Hallam University where I was given an MRI Scan.”

The MRI indicated that Grace may have an arachnoid cyst on her brain, which was later confirmed.

Nicky said: “Having the MRI enabled my husband and me to come to terms with the situation and prepare ourselves before our daughter was born and enabled her consultants to work out what treatment, if any, she would need.

“The research study was funded by Sparks and this is my way of thanking them.”

Since 1991, Sparks has committed more than £20million into pioneering research projects across a wide spectrum of medical conditions including childhood cancers, cerebral palsy, premature birth and spina bifida.