Fashion, bubbly and fun in aid of Mum

Sue Walker and her daughter Rebecca pick out some clothing ahead of a Sparkle and Shine, Swap and Sip evening to raise money for Sue to have ground-breaking MS treatment in Singapore. Photo / Duncan Brown

Sue Walker wants to be back on the tennis court by Christmas 2016.

A goal which may not seem ambitious - except for the fact she has Multiple Sclerosis that struck suddenly in 2012 and progressed quickly.

That diagnosis saw the world as she knew it come tumbling down, and forced her to take a step back from the business she had built.

Daughter Rebecca and the staff at Happy Days Childcare Centre, keep things going when she is not able to.

Mrs Walker lives with regular relapses - landing her in hospital on a regular basis.

So when she discovered there was a treatment which could halt this disease in its tracks it was worth a shot.

HSCT is a radical method having dramatic results for MS throughout the world, but is not available in New Zealand.

It combines a stem cell transplant with chemotherapy, and in January, Mrs Walker hopes to be one of just a handful of Kiwi's to try it.

However, it doesn't come cheap - she has to raise about $200,000 for flights, accommodation and treatment in Singapore over a three-month period.

"It will mean getting me back to where I was before my life changed, my goal is to get back to the things I used to do," she said.

Part of that was stepping foot on the court at Greendale Tennis Club by December 25, next year.

"There are limited options here in New Zealand, we have to be a bit proactive, we made the decision to give this a go - our family and friends have really supported us.

"I have read medical journals and stories about people who have difficulty walking, 12 months later they are running a marathon after this treatment, there is no funding so we have to do it ourselves."

Too shy to put her hand up for help, daughter Rebecca has taken matters into her own hands - organising a Swap and Sip evening at Napier Old Boys Marist Clubrooms on Saturday September 26.

The idea is to bring along five to ten quality used items from your wardrobe in exchange for tokens to "swap" clothing with other attendees. Tickets are $25 including bubbles, nibbles and a goodie bag plus any pieces that catch your eye.

"She didn't want to fundraise, she didn't want to ask for help - Mum just wants to get MS out there and raise awareness for this treatment," Rebecca said.

-Phone Rebecca Walker 027 779 3777 or donate directly via Givealittle: givealittle.co.nz/cause/sue-smashes-ms