Family to thank hospital after care of premature twins

A WESTBURY family are fundraising for Bristol Children’s Hospital to say thank you for looking after twins, Dean and Jack,  who were born 10 weeks prematurely, back in 2003. 

Kirsten Brookes, mother of Dean and Jack Barratt who turn 16 next month and now able to leave the hospital’s care, wants to raise money to give back to the hospital’s ‘The Grand Appeal’ after caring for Dean through his diagnosis of Nemaline Myopathy.

Kirsten said, “Since he was diagnosed he has had a number of operations such as a muscle biopsy and gastrostomy, which now helps him gain weight. He has sleep studies which help the doctors detect how much oxygen he gets at night time. His condition causes him to have breathing difficulties and in the future he will be on an oxygen mask at night.

“Dean is currently using an electric wheelchair; he has this because his condition causes him to have low muscle tone which makes him extremely tired. He also uses splints on his legs to help him walk. We try to give him as much independence as possible.

“Not being able to drive, getting in and out of hospital for all his appointments is very difficult for myself and his twin Jack and family. ‘The Grand Appeal’, Bristol Children’s Hospital charity, has helped in many ways in supporting us and making sure Dean has the best of care.

“Dean is a very caring boy and with all he’s been through he still smiles and carries on -h e is my super hero!! We would also like to say a massive thank you to his twin Jack for understanding how hard it is for Dean.”

The Hollies pub in Westbury Leigh, where Kirsten works, is holding a fundraising week to help the family reach their target of £500.

From Sunday 21st – Saturday 27th April there will be a raffle to win a pair of Bath Rugby tickets; from 21st-24th April there will be a table top sale and on Tuesday 23rd April, the pub’s weekly quiz night will be in aid of the cause starting at 8pm. There will also be a bingo night on Friday 26th April, starting at 9pm; afternoon cakes and tea on Saturday 27th April from 12pm and live music from Brakelight in the evening from 9pm.

Kirsten added, “So if you would please like to help me raise some money for an amazing charity and to help other families like myself please feel free to donate on our go fund me page via  www.gofundme. com/grand-appeal-children039s-hospital or drop in to The Hollies Inn with any support of charity donations or cakes.”