A CHARITY night held in aid of a children’s charity that helped to rehabilitate a Marchington youngster following a sudden brain injury, has raised over £3,000.
Julia Smith organised the event along with friends for the Children’s Trust, based in Surrey.
Her son Harry, then aged just 10-years-old, suffered a brain injury due to a routine cold and chest infection in February 2011.
Airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Harry spent five days in an induced coma to allow the swelling in his brain to reduce.
This left him unable to walk, speak or perform basic functions and he was transferred to Queen’s Hospital in Burton for five weeks before being granted a place in a very special rehabilitation hospital for brain injured children.
After a six-month stay at The Children’s Trust, Harry and his mother were able to return home.
Harry’s brain injury had improved so much that he was able to join his friends at Oldfields Middle School in Uttoxeter, albeit with one-to-one support.
Mrs Smith said she felt she and her family owed a ‘great debt’ to the charity and held a quiz night at Marchington Village Hall to raise funds.
Over 120 people turned up to support the event which raised over £3,000 for the Children’s Trust through ticket sales, a raffle and personal donations from guests.
At the midway break the quiz teams watched an emotional film and series of photos showing Harry’s journey from the first few days in intensive care through to his slow recovery in Surrey.
Mrs Smith thanked all the health professionals who had supported and cared for Harry and the South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust who had paid for the treatment place at The Children’s Trust.
She also thanked the huge support she had received from friends, family and colleagues during the time that she was away with Harry.
The money raised will go towards trips and activities for children and families who have long stays at the Trust hospital.
