Last updated at 12:20, Friday, 21 September 2012

A Workington mother is holding a charity night to thank the hospital staff who saved the lives of her and her daughter.

HEALTHY PRAISE: Stephanie Moore, centre, with baby Jessie, friend Hazel Key, left, and Hazel’s daughter Andrea, are preparing for a charity night next Friday to thank hospital staff for their care

Stephanie Moore, 26, of Rowe Terrace, suffered complications during the birth of daughter Jessie and lost so much blood she needed a transfusion.

Jessie, now almost nine months old, had to be revived and suffers from epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

Stephanie said: “She is lucky to be here and the staff at the hospital have done a lot for her.”

Stephanie’s mum Susan Smith, of Coniston Close, added: “It put the fear of God into me when the surgeon rang at 1am because they weren’t sure if they would pull through and they had to revive Jessie.”

Staff at Whitehaven’s West Cumberland Hospital and Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary have been working to get Jessie’s seizures under control. She still sees a consultant at the Whitehaven hospital regularly.

A charity night at Harrington Sailing and Fishing Club next Friday has been organised by Stephanie, Susan and their friend Hazel Key, who lost her husband Derek in May.

Half of the money raised will go to the children’s unit at the West Cumberland Hospital.

The other half will go to renal dialysis units at the Whitehaven hospital and Carlisle’s Cumberland Infirmary where Derek, 68, was treated for kidney failure.

Hazel, 65, of Cedar Court, said: “I thought it would be nice to do something because they were so good to him.”

The charity night will include a raffle, tombola and entertainment from Keith Ray and friends.

Tickets are £3 and available from the club or on the door from 7.30pm.

First published at 11:51, Friday, 21 September 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk