A FUNDRAISING event for a critically-ill child is taking place in Bradford next month.
One-year-old Ashton Leach has been fighting for his life in Leeds General Infirmary since March after he contracted septicaemia, which was originally thought to be the common cold.
Since he was admitted to hospital, Ashton has developed other conditions, including red man syndrome, which means he has to stay concealed in a body-sleeve as his skin is peeling off, as well as spending some time in a medically induced coma.
Ashton’s auntie, Katie Greenwood, who lives in Bradford, has now set up a fundraiser to raise money to support his parents and siblings who are having to stay in hotels in Leeds to be by his bedside, as well as taking time off work to support each other.
Katie said: “It’s just so horrible seeing the whole family go through this so we thought the least we can do it try to support them financially.”
The event will take place at the Delph Hill centre in Wyke, Bradford from 11am until 4.30pm on May 14.
There will be a charity football match, a bouncy castle and face painting, and a raffle plus more happening on the day.
Ashton’s mother Lisamarie, from Mixenden in Halifax, explained Ashton’s illness, and said he has been unwell ever since he was born prematurely at 26 weeks when she suffered a placental abruption.
She said: “When he was born, doctors said he had less than a one percent chance of surviving because his lungs weren’t working properly, but after 100 days in hospital our little fighter was able to come home.
“He has always been vulnerable but he was thriving, and loved playing with siblings and even started to walk.”
Lisamarie explained that he had symptoms of a cold, which turned into a chest infection so he was put on antibiotics. But as he got to the end of the course of medication she noticed he was getting more lethargic, rather than better.
“I went out to the kitchen and when I came back into the room and he was completely unresponsive on the couch and he was blue so I rang the ambulance immediately. When they came his oxygen levels were so low that they didn’t understand how he was still alive, they thought the machine had gone wrong.”
Since then, Ashton has been at Leeds General Infirmary while his family pray he gets better.
To make a donation, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/to-help-ashtons-parents-whilst-staying-with-ashton.
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