A FAMILY from Kidderminster has been told their severely autistic twin girls require two further stem cell treatments abroad.

Two more fundraising events are planned towards the cost of pioneering stem cell treatment which has already led to significant improvements for four-year-olds Summer and Meadow Lockey.

The twins' progress is described as “quite remarkable” following their first treatment in Panama last October.

The family is now organising a concert at Chaddesley Corbett Village Hall on Saturday, February 23, before the Wyre Forest Big Band performs at St Ambrose Parish Centre on Saturday, March 9, to boost the appeal.

More than £16,000 has already been raised, but each treatment costs £16,000 per child, taking the total to around £40,000 including travel and accommodation – and two more treatments are recommended.

The sisters, who live in Grays, Essex, with parents Pina, originally from Kidderminster, and dad John, were diagnosed as severely autistic.

Kidderminster Shuttle:

Aunt Sinead Maffei, of Yew Tree Road, said: “The girls’ progress since October has been quite remarkable. Meadow has improved dramatically, no meltdowns, sleeps through the night, wears her glasses which are a reduced prescription, has started to wave and shows signs of some communication.

“Summer is coming on in leaps and bounds, speaking clearer and using full, meaningful sentences.”

The Stem Cell Institute in Panama is described as one of the world’s leading stem cell therapy and research centres. The treatment attempts to reduce inflammation – characteristically found in the brain and intestines of autistic patients – to alleviate symptoms.

The concert at Chaddesley Corbett starts at 8pm featuring singers Eddie Barry, David Coulson, Charlie and Bobby Villa, duo 2 Can Music, plus comedy from Joe Cooper and singer/comedian Henry Witney.

Tickets, priced £10, or £5 for under-16s, include a buffet supper.

Passes for the Wyre Forest Big Band concert, which starts at 7.30pm, are £6 and tickets for both events are available from Charlie Villa on 07759 629938 or on the door.