Funky Kid Friday - Monkey & Mole, Esme's Journey & how you can help

Handmade leather moccasins are all the rage these days.  For the last 5 years or so there has been a surge in their popularity and new brands are popping up all over the place now.  Etsy, Folksy & Instagram is bursting with them.  Like with many things, this craze really started over in the US.  The first brand I saw making them was Freshly Picked.  They started up in 2009 and when Felix was born I was lusting after a pair.. but they were already quite pricey without taking postage and possible tax into consideration so I held back.  Then, one day, I discovered Monkey & Mole and I nearly exploded with happiness!

I was brimming with happiness when our first pair arrived.  The quality of the leather and crafstwomanship was second to none.  Unlike a cheaper pair of moccs I'd bought before, these ones would stay on Felix's feet all day (no mean feet with that fidgeter).  I liked that although they gave his feet protection they weren't hampering his growth or attempts to walk in any way.  They looked beautiful and everyone who saw them complimented us on them.

Over the last couple of years Chrissy and I have worked together online, features on my blog, giveaways on Instagram, ads on my blog.  When we have exchanged emails Chrissy would tell me about her worries about her daughter, Esme.  How she worried something was "wrong" after an upsetting two year check up with a rather tactless health visitor.  Prior to this check up Chrissy had just been enjoying Esme.  She wasn't worrying and analysing behaviour, well no more than any other mother would be.  It turns out though, that as tactless as the health visitor was, Esme was falling behind her peers and so the journey to a diagnosis began.  That diagnosis eventually came in; autism.  Esme suffers from anxiety, very few words, struggles to interact, plays differently and is easily frightened by noises.  She is also a complete delight and the world to her doting parents.

Chrissy discovered ABA Therapy , an early intervention therapy for children with autism which would really give Esme a boost.  The issue is that this therapy is only available privately and is extremely expensive.  Chrissy didn't give up when she discovered this, though.  No, she decided to raise funds!  And the way she's going about it is quite amazing!  This fantastic Mama is going to cycle 500 miles from Lands End to Bolton and Esme will be joining her!!

I realise this is not a typical Funky Kid Friday post but I really want to help get the word out there about Chrissy's amazing mission.  As Funky Kid is my most read feature and, well, Monkey & Mole moccs are fashion related, I thought it would be OK!

Chrissty & Esme start their journey on the 20th July (not long) and will be arriving in Bolton, where they were both born, on the 21st of August.  If you would like to support them and can donate anything, no matter how small, you can do so here.  You can keep up to date with their progress via Instagram.

If you'd like to link up your kids fashion posts, you can do so below!  Happy Friday everyone! X