Jude's Memorial Bench

Hi!

 

Hi all  - Me (Caroline) and Scott Newsham want to do some good, and Jackie has paid for us, rather stupidly, to abseil down a massive cliff in Wales. All for a good reason though......

 

Let me tell you about my little friend, Jude Hunter. Jude was born in February 2018, his Mummy and Daddy, Ange and Paul, are two very close friends. Jude was born and all seemed well, but it was evident very quickly that something wasn't quite as it should be. After Jude endured a number of tests, as a new born, he was diagnosed with a D-Bifunctional Protein Deficiancy, more commonly known as Zellweger Syndrome.

 

Paul and Ange had never heard of such a condition and they discovered that Jude would sadly not live for a very long time and during his time here, he would require around the clock care, as with any newborn, but added stresses of his medicinal needs and feeding needs. Jude also suffered terrifying seizures, that were uncontrolable. Sometimes he would have up to 15 a day. He needed oxygen and was fed through a tube in his tummy. This condition affected both his eyesight and his hearing. He had tiny little hearing aids made for him, just like his Daddy.

 

I first met Jude when he was just a few months old and instantly fell in love with the little guy. I was lucky and honoured enough to spend a lot of time with Jude, his Mummy and Daddy, their family and friends. It was always such a special time with him.

 

Paul and Ange spent many weeks and months at Claire House Hospice, here on the Wirral. The team at the hospice were instrumental in helping give Jude and his parents some incredibly special times and make memories with them. They're an incredible organisation.

 

Jude passed away peacefully at Alder Hey Children's hospital on 30th May 2019. After his passing, Jude made one final trip to Claire House, where Paul and Ange and their family and friends, were able to sit with him in a specially adapted room, for a few days, to say their goodbyes. I'm honoured to say that both myself and my partner, Jackie, were invited to do just that and, although heartbreaking, it was a really lovely moment and we are both grateful we were able to say our goodbyes, to our cheeky, handsome and loving little friend.

 

Jude is buried at Landican Cemetary, on the Wirral. It's a beautiful, quiet place and his resting place is full of colour and love. It just doesn't have anywhere to sit, to be near to him. So....let's get his Mummy and Daddy a bench. Let's get Jude's name on it and let them and others, sit with him for as long as they need to and tell him all about what's happening.

 

I am doing an abseil on Sunday 24th October, in Wales, along with Scott, my partner's son and so far, through word of mouth, we have raised £600 towards the bench. We need another £400 and it would mean so much if you could spare anything to help us reach that target. Should we go above that target, any further monies raised, will go directly to Claire House Hospice. I'm terrified of heights and it's a real out of my comfort zone thing to do, but it's for my mate Jude; it's totally worth it.

 

Thank you for reading and thank you, in advance for any donations, all gratefully received.

 

Caroline, Jackie and Scott. x