Sienna, 3, proving a real ‘Champ1on’

supportive family who adore her and want her to do well.”

Amazing therapists aside, truly expert advice is scant and they rely on help from other families of ‘Champ1ons’, as they call them.

“In terms of support for our family, there is very little. There is a Facebook group for those closely connected to someone with a Champ1 diagnosis.

“And there’s an amazing private Facebook group that you can be part of if your child has an official diagnosis.

“The families in it are so supportive and have a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

“As the condition’s so rare, experts don’t have the answers, so as parents we are striving to get them for our children.”

Currently, there’s no cure or significant treatment for Champ1.

I mention that I read about how personalised intervention using traditional therapies might offer some improvement and ask whether that offers them hope. “Yes, that does seem to be the case. We’re lucky that I’ve worked with children with SEN for more than 10 years, so have lots of knowledge to support Sienna, particularly with her communication.

“She has a team of experts around her, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapy and portage.

“We also have an incredible paediatrician who supports us and does all she can to help. We also have a geneticist who keeps an eye on Sienna’s development.

“We are also very lucky to have a brilliant team at Sienna’s nursery in Ferndown, who go over and above daily to support and nurture her.

“She is doing so well in all areas of her development and we have no doubt that she will continue to thrive with the continued support of the professionals and our family and friends.

“She really is an incredibly special little girl who has achieved so much and overcome so many barriers in her life so far.

“We are so proud of our Champ1on.”

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by Lorraine Gibson

Forget the Oscars... a sweet film about a young couple who fall in love after an accidental encounter in the town where they live, has bagged Wimborne a top national retail award.

In the romantic short, we follow aptly-named actor Rohan Gotobed, a would-be Romeo, strolling along the street past some very familiar shops when his head is literally turned by a girl, played by actress, Lauren Carver, who passes him in the opposite direction. He notices her a few more times around the town, and as they journey past well-known businesses, they steal glances at each another.

Emboldened, he eventually stops his mystery girl and asks her to meet him. She agrees and, after an anxious few seconds checking his watch, boy meets girl outside Wimborne Library.

From there, a charming romance blossoms as they walk, chat and laugh along a backdrop of local landmarks, including the Minster church. Now smitten, they walk hand-in-hand, pause for the odd embrace and even stop to buy flowers, and a bite to eat, try on sunglasses, share a book and grab a coffee.

They find time for a lovers’ tiff before the denouement where they kiss and make up.

Conceived by Wimborne BID, the film was part of their campaign to showcase the quality and variety of shops, eateries and other businesses in the town. It was created by Justin Gray, a filmmaker who’s worked on some of Waitrose’s TV ads. In campaign promotions, the hashtag #FallInLoveWimborne was used and the film generated about 14,000 viewers on social media.

Along with the positive vibes, it crucially brought shoppers and visitors and attracted such good feedback that the BID entered it into the Good Retail Awards 2023. Organised by Modern Retail, the awards aim to spotlight inspiring retailers in the industry.

Despite the organisers commenting that all the shortlisted entries displayed fantastic stories of innovation, creativity, purpose and success, the Wimborne love story worked so well that the judges, just like the happy couple, fell in love with it and declared it a winner.

One judge even told BID manager, Tammy Sleet, that when she saw Falling In Love With Wimborne, it brought a tear to her eye.

Don’t you just love a happy ending?