Sisters show special love

Three-year-old Tora is blind in her left eye and has only peripheral vision in her right. Despite this, she has made her parents Susan Blissett and Gordon Claphan, of Cleckheaton, proud by not letting the condition stop her living a bouncy, happy life.

Last summer, Tora and grandmother Catherine Clapham raised over £250 for Barnardo’s by completing the Big Toddle along the Spen Valley Greenway.

Charities have played an important part in her early life, such as the Bradford Toy Library - at St Luke’s Hospital which allowed the family to hire special lights to stimulate Tora’s eyes.

She’s also received help from Actionnaire and a local donkey charity.

Dad Gordon Clapham said: “She’s cheery and loving. She’s been helped so much by charities that if we can give something back we will. Tora really has a ‘get up and go’ attitude.”

Tora uses a cane to navigate new environments and lives a full and normal life, full of music, swimming and lots of running around with big sister Riley.

Both girls attend Howard Park Community School.

Gordon added: “It’s very hard for Riley because she has to come to a lot of hospital appointments with Tora.

“She’s been really good and supportive, even if sometimes she can’t go places because we have to do something else. Riley never gets jealous.

“They might have that sibling rivalry at times, but they really do love each other very much and would do anything for one another.”

l Do you know a child who deserves to be recognised for their achievements? Children up to 16 are eligible and all you have to do is write a letter of no more than 200 words explaining why the child should be nominated, by March 11.

An awards ceremony is held at the Ponderosa Lakeside Restaurant in early April.

Nominations can be sent to Spenborough Guardian, 1 Market Street, Cleckheaton, BD19 3RT, or email [email protected]