Eat up to help boost support group
A mother is holding a taco-eating contest to raise money for a charity which has helped her daughter.
When teenager Niki Sidney was born, an injury caused by forceps damaged three of the nerves that control her right arm, leaving her with a condition known as Erb's Palsy.
The injury meant Niki, now 14, has little movement in her arm – and her mother Sue said the Erb's Palsy Group, which supports youngsters with the condition, proved invaluable in helping the family to cope.
Now Mrs Sidney, who runs the California Kitchen, in Langton Place, Bury St Edmunds, is launching the restaurant's first taco-eating contest to raise money for the charity.
Despite her injury, King Edward VI School pupil Niki has had sporting success with West Suffolk Athletics Club, where she excels at hurdles and high jump and is a past under-13s county champion in the hurdles.
"She did gymnastics, but eventually couldn't do the competitions she needed to because of the condition," said Mrs Sidney.
"Now she does hurdles and high jump and she does amazingly well, although she can't lift her arm above her waist so can't use it to help her.
"Her friends are brilliant and she doesn't really let it affect her."
She added: "The Erb's Palsy Group helped us a lot in the beginning. Its support really helped, especially knowing there were other people out there going through it.
"Unfortunately, these injuries do still happen, although on the whole it's preventable, and the group also provides education for health professionals."
On January 20, the first of four competition heats will see contestants attempting to eat as many tacos as possible in six minutes – with a final due to be held on Feburary 17.
Mrs Sidney, who has run the restaurant for 18 months, said the idea came from a regular customer and she hoped the contest could become an annual event.
Anyone wanting to enter the competition can find details at www.californiakitchen.co.uk
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Thursday 24 May 2012
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