The touching story behind Teiana’s 21 celebrity selfies, raising funds for Women and Children’s Hospital

An Adelaide schoolgirl is on a mission to get 21 celebrity selfies – but the reason why she is doing it, is incredibly touching.

Teiana Marsh takes a selfie with Crows AFLW Players Marijana Rajcic and Najwa Allen. Picture: Emma Brasier

Adelaide schoolgirl Teiana Marsh is on a mission to promote the work of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, one selfie at a time.

The 15-year-old suffered a stroke soon after she was born with her parents told to expect the worst – that she’d likely not ever talk or walk.

She did both but the stroke she suffered as a newborn has had a lasting effect, wiping out a sixth of her brain.

The right side of her body is weakened and she regularly suffers seizures, which she takes medication to manage.

For her, learning is a little more difficult than most of her King’s Baptist Grammar School year 9 classmates but her heart more than makes up for it.

“I love that she has a heart to help people,” mum, Shani, said.

Teiana with sports presenter Tom Rehn. Picture: supplied.

Teiana and radio presenter Jodie Oddy. Picture: supplied.

“She is determined to forge through her own struggles … to help someone else.

“Her dad (Gary) and I are very proud … as is little sister, Isla, 11.”

Teiana, who has previously raised money in support of the WCH Foundation, is hoping to raise awareness of the charity that seeks to ensure mums, children and their families have access to the very best medical care in Adelaide.

She has set herself a challenge to take selfies with 21 local and national celebrities as part of the Challenge 21, in which people are encouraged to take on any challenge related to the number 21 to raise funds for the WCH.

During the week she caught up with AFLW Crows players Najwa Allen and Marijana Rajcic, adding to a reel that includes TV sports presenter Tom Rehn and radio host Jodie Oddy. Next week she plans to meet up with celebrity chefs Poh Ling Yeow and Maggie Beer, as well as cricket legend Jason “Dizzy” Gillespie.

Her final “get” will be her favourite star, Australian tennis player Dylan Alcott, who has committed to meeting her when he returns from the Queen’s funeral.

Teiana said her motivation was to raise as much awareness of the WCH as she could.

“I want to give back and help those families who are less fortunate than my own … knowing what my family went through when I was born, I want to help others,” she said.

WCH Foundation CEO Jane Scotcher describes the teenager as “inspirational”.

“Through sharing her story with the community, she is raising important funds and awareness,” Ms Scotcher said.

To take part in the Challenge 21 campaign, which officially launches tomorrow and runs until

October 9, go to www.challenge21.org.au

Originally published as The touching story behind Teiana’s 21 celebrity selfies, raising funds for Women and Children’s Hospital