Non-verbal Inverness girl takes part in fundraising walk to get her to London to see specialists in bid for her to speak

Two young friends with complex needs have kick-started a fundraising campaign which aims to get one of them to London to see specialists.

Amelia Jo Kelly (8), who is non verbal, was joined by Harry Ritchie Mackenzie (5) for a 50m walk at Drummond School in Inverness to launch the month-long Walk for Amelia campaign.

The aim is to raise £3000 for Amelia to see private consultants who have an outstanding track record of getting non-verbal children to speak.

The campaign, which is running throughout November, is inviting people to walk a combined total of 533 miles – the distance from Inverness to London – and by the launch date had already raised £1100.

Fundraising campaign to get non-verbal girl to London

Amelia, who was born at 32 weeks gestation, has global development delay, autism and epilepsy while Harry was born with a congenital heart defect, treatment for which as a baby resulted in a brain injury that medics said would leave him unable to walk.

Amelia’s mother, Kelly Macrae, explained that she and Harry’s mother became friends after meeting on the children’s unit at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Both their children are often in and out of hospital.

“To have Harry and Amelia out of hospital at the same time is a very special moment,” she said.

She said although Amelia is non-verbal, she manages to communicate with the family on some level but outlined the importance of her daughter seeing the specialists in London.

“It gives her a proper chance,” she said.

“I know there is a chance they will say Amelia will never speak but I am not prepared to give up.

“I am going to carry on until we see these world-renowned specialists and then I will know – and they will give us the help in developing communication in other ways.

“It is life changing for us.”

Amelia’s sisters, Savannah (12), Casey (19) and Rhea (21) are hitting the treadmill to see how many miles they can rack up for Amelia.

The family is appealing to others to get involved no matter their age or how far they can walk or wheel.

People from the children’s ward including nurses – and some of their children – play workers and the receptionist have signed up.

Those wishing to sign up to Walk for Amelia can get in touch with Kelly Macrae for a sponsorship form at ameliascbu@gmail.com or via Facebook at

Ameliasfundraisingjourney.

All money raised by individuals from the sponsored walk can be added to Amelia’s crowdfunding page at Justgiving.

Everyone who takes part in the walk will be entered into a raffle.

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