Family's tribute to Ipswich two year old Evie Norton

In April, the family of Evie Norton will be walking from Ipswich to Felixstowe, raising money for those who cared for Evie during her life.

The Ipswich Star met Amy and Ben Norton and their daughters on their wedding day in August last year.

The couple had brought forward their special day to make sure that their youngest daughter, two-year-old Evie, could be a bridesmaid alongside her sister Maisie.

With Evie’s favourite colour being blue, her nails were painted especially for the occasion, while Maisie chose pale pink.

Evie, pictured with her mum, Amy, her dad, Ben, and her big sister, Maisie. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)Evie with her proud big sister, Maisie. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)Evie pictured with her cousin, Isla, who has set up this charity walk and fundraiser in her memory. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)

Ben and Amy on their wedding day, with their daughters Evie, in her mum's arms, and Maisie as bridesmaids. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)

Evie arrived on November 25, 2020.

She was born with a rare muscular disorder called nemaline myopathy, a rare disorder which causes weak muscles, decreased muscle tone and reduced reflexes. This meant that Evie’s muscles stretched, rather than growing as they should.

Evie’s health deteriorated in August, which was why Ben and Amy made the decision to get married a month early. After the wedding, they planned to cherish their little girl and make the most of every day she had left.

They managed to do exactly that, said Amy.

“Her last seven weeks were hard, but she showed no pain,” said Amy. “She was happy, just happy to be.

“Every day we saw family, and she was just showered with love.”

Evie may have been a little girl, but she had a big personality. She could be very sassy and made the nurses at Ipswich Hospital and EACH’s Treehouse laugh with her cheekiness.  

The hospice and hospital nurses all knew Evie, and she would make them laugh with her cheekiness. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)Evie loved to feed the ducks with her family. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)

Evie could say a few words, and she became very good at sign language. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)

The family were determined to give Evie as many happy memories and experiences as they could. They will never forget their trip to Disneyland for Christmas of 2022, which was arranged by East Anglia’s Childrens’ Hospice (EACH).

This was a magical time, remembered Amy, and both Evie and big sister Maise, now seven, absolutely loved meeting Minnie Mouse, watching the performances and seeing the fireworks at night.

At home in England, Evie loved feeding the ducks, and going for dog walks in her buggy with the family’s puppy.

Evie also enjoyed going on holiday to Great Yarmouth, dancing with other children in the kids’ shows and splashing about in the pool, which she managed to do even with a feeding tube and Hickman line.

Evie's favourite colour was blue. For her parents' wedding, she had her nails painted blue in honour of the occasion. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)Evie loved everything to be blue, and decorated with butterflies, from her pyjamas to her bedlinen. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)Evie's favourite place was Felixstowe. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)

Evie loved the water, but she was very particular that she only liked to swim in a pool.

“You couldn’t make her dip her toes in the sea – she would not have that!” said Amy.

Even so, the beach at Felixstowe was one of Evie’s favourite places.

“The last time we took her out was October 7,” said Amy. “We took her to Felixstowe, and she had a big ice cream, some orange juice and some chips and curry sauce.

“In our hearts, we knew we didn’t have long, so why take away her joy?”

Evie was a little girl with a big personality. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)Evie pictured with her cousin, Isla. Image: Amy Norton (Image: Amy Norton)

On Tuesday, October 10, Evie spent the day surrounded by her family and their close friends, celebrating an early birthday.

She passed away the following evening.

In her memory, Evie’s cousin, Isla, 13, has decided to raise funds for The Treehouse, run by EACH, and for Bergholt Ward at Ipswich Hospital. During Evie’s life, Amy said the hospital became their second home and the nurses were “like family”.

The fact that her niece wants to support the hospice and hospital in this way is, said Amy, “absolutely beautiful”.

Isla has organised for eight to 12 friends to walk the 14 miles from Ipswich to Felixstowe.

Evie’s dad and grandad will be among them, while Amy and Maisie will be on hand to keep everyone topped up with drinks and refreshments.

They will proudly be wearing T-shirts made by the Ipswich Trade Centre, where Evie’s grandad works as a sales manager.

To donate, go to gofundme.com and search ‘A walk for Evie’ or click here.