Ashton schoolgirl raises awareness for childhood stomas with big heart and even bigger fundraisers

Nine-year-old Millie Barry from Ashton-under-Lyne is not your average schoolgirl. While many children her age are busy planning playdates or school trips, Millie is organising charity fun days, raising thousands of pounds, and offering a message of hope to children facing similar medical journeys.

A stoma is an opening on the abdomen, connected to either your digestive or urinary system to allow faeces or urine to be diverted out of your body into a bag. A stoma looks like a small, oval-shaped piece of pink flesh, but everyone’s is different in size and shape. It can lie flat on your body or protrude out. It does not have nerve endings so it does not hurt or have any sensations when touched. 

Millie, who recently had a stoma fitted due to long-term bowel complications, has turned her personal challenge into a campaign to help others. With the help of her mum, Jessica, she’s been using social media and community events to raise awareness of childhood stomas and money for the children’s stoma ward at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

“She’s always struggled, even from potty training,” said Jessica. “She didn’t really have the feeling of when to go. Over the years she’s had loads of procedures, but her insides had stretched so much, the doctors said a stoma was the only way to give her body a proper rest.”

Millie had the operation just 12 weeks ago, and the difference has been life changing.

“We were really scared at first,” Jessica admitted. “But it’s made life easier. Millie’s got her confidence back. Within days, she was asking to go on her bike and skates!”

Millie’s resilience has turned into activism. Through a dedicated Facebook page and a fun day, she has already raised over £2,300.

“We had raffles, a magician, a face painter, football shirts signed by pros,” Millie beamed, listing the highlights of her recent event. “All my friends came too!”

Millie and Jessica are also donating special “stoma bears” to young patients, cuddly teddy bears that wear a stoma bag just like Millie. These comforting companions come at a cost of £30 each, but thanks to donations, they’ve already been able to supply dozens of bears to the hospital, along with storybooks and reading boxes to help children understand what a stoma is.

The response from the hospital’s stoma nurses has been heart warming. “They said it’s made such a difference,” said Jessica. “Kids aren’t as scared when they have something to relate to.”

When asked what advice she’d give other children who are facing the prospect of a stoma, Millie’s answer was simple, but powerful: “It’s going to be okay.”

Her story is already inspiring others and proving that no matter your age, you can make a real difference. Whether it’s climbing fences, going trampolining, or dancing at monthly Morris dancing competitions, Millie is doing it all with her stoma, she is not letting the change hold her back.

As she heads off on a school trip to Whitby, it’s clear Millie is unstoppable. And thanks to her, a lot more children will face their own journeys with courage, kindness, and a teddy bear by their side.

You can follow along with Millie’s stoma journey on her Facebook page: Millie’s Stoma Journey.

Millie with the stoma bears she donated at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.