Tot Tommy Days thanks staff at Gillingham hospital
Tot Tommy Days has returned to the
ward at Medway Maritime Hospital, where he was kept alive on oxygen
for months, to say a big thank you to staff.
Tommy, aged 21 months, helped to
hand over a cheque for £300 to buy new toys for Dolphin ward.
The little boy was born with a rare
malfunction, which meant his lungs stopped working properly as soon
as he fell asleep.
Tommy would struggle to breathe
without sufficient oxygen and his heartbeat had to be constantly
monitored.
When his condition deteriorated he
was transferred to the Evelina children’s hospital at St Thomas’,
London, in December, where he had his tonsils and adenoids
removed.
The operation was a success and a
week later, on Christmas Day, Tommy was allowed to be with his
parents Maxine, 32, and Paul Days, 33, at the family home in Ash
Tree Lane, Chatham.
Granddad Colin Bicker, a Freemason,
asked his colleagues at the Wigmore Durobrivae Lodge if they would
consider donating the proceeds of their Christmas raffle to the
children’s ward.
Mr Bicker, 59, of Hunters Way,
Gillingham, said the family were “eternally grateful” for the
support and care Tommy received.
He said: “I put the idea to my
lodge and they jumped at the chance as Freemasons provide so much
support to the Medway community – especially those less fortunate
in life.”
Maxine said: “It was a scary time
for us but whenever I got a bit tearful the staff were there for me
and the children.”
The cheque was presented to
hospital play leader Annie Huxtable, who said: “We cannot thank the
lodge enough for this kind donation. The money will go towards
equipment and toys for the children’s ward.”
18/02/13
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