By Jennifer Cosgrove

A two-year-old Broughty Ferry girl will undergo alternative therapy in London to treat a debilitating condition next month, thanks to cash raised by a sponsored toddle on Saturday.

Caragh Benson was diagnosed with polyarticular juvenile arthritis in January, when she was just 16 months old, and suffers constant pain and discomfort in many of her joints.

The disease restricts her mobility and ability to play and she has been on steroids since being diagnosed, depending upon the maximum dosage to keep her mobile.

Her medication, however, has not been effective in suppressing and controlling her condition so parents Lynsey and Paul Benson began seeking alternatives in order to help their daughter lead a normal life.

Friends told them of Seka Nikolic, a bio-energy practitioner in London, and Caragh will go to the capital with her mum and gran Janice Bell on November 24 for a week of treatment in the hope the therapy will ease her symptoms.

On hearing about the Bensons’ planned trip, the parent and toddlers’ group at Broughty New Kirk (St Aidan’s) organised the toddle to help fund Caragh’s treatment, travel and accommodation expenses.

The local community took her cause to heart, with sponsorship from the church, local businesses, the police and Broughty Ferry lifeboat station coming in.

Around £16,000 has been raised thanks to the generosity of the community and Lynsey says the family have been overwhelmed by their support.

“The toddlers’ group asked if they could do this for us and we were quite touched, everyone has wanted to help Caragh,” she said.

“The drug treatment is not taking effect and we really want to control the condition.

“On a bad day, Caragh can’t even get up—she can’t play or eat her food. It affects her knees, her fingers, her toes—everything.”

Paul said, “We’re a bit sceptical about alternative therapy but we heard about this woman first hand from friends who have experienced her treatment and we want to try everything we can to help Caragh.”

Around 20 toddlers and their parents walked from the Glass Pavilion in Broughty Ferry to the Barnhill Rock Garden and back to support Caragh, and a small party was held at St Aidan’s halls afterwards.