Court battle ex wins half a £1m house
Family on their brave decision as opt-out law comes in today
PRIZED Couple’s £1m home A MIDWIFE has beaten her wealthy ex to win half their £1million home.
Claire Chipperfield, 52, and tech company boss Andrew Horn, 58, were together 15 years, had two children, but never wed.
In 2006 Mr Horn paid most of the deposit on a home in Lymington, Hants.
After the pair split 10 years later, he claimed it was mostly his despite it being in joint names.
But Claire told the High Court in London that over a drink in a pub 13 years ago Mr Horn said to her: “Well, that’s it Chip, we are now 50/50 owners.”
Mr Horn said they kept cash separate. He paid £ 241,000 towards the house to her £38,000.
But the judge upheld a ruling that Claire could have half the home. A FAMILY has told of the heartbreaking final moments they spent with their dying daughter before they donated her organs, which saved the lives of five children.
Ten-year-old Ella Thatcher’s sudden death from an epileptic seizure meant her heart, lungs, liver, pancreas and kidneys were used to help others.
It comes as a historic Organ Donation Bill is set to become law today with the granting of royal assent. Known as Max & Keira’s Law, the Mirror-backed move will see an opt-out system introduced, where consent to donate is assumed unless otherwise stated.
Ella suffered from a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome. Her family thought it was under control after her seizures reduced from 55 a month to one every six months. But last year she suffered a devastating attack at their home in Hurstpierpoint, near Brighton, and she stopped breathing.
Paramedics revived her before she was transferred to the specialist Evelina London Children’s Hospital in South London.
Her mum, Anna Thatcher, told the Mirror about the moment the doctor delivered the worst-possible news: “He told us Ella had swelling on the brain and was essentially brain dead. We were just stunned.”
The next morning, Anna and dad Mike broke the news to her siblings – Oliver, 13, and Mia, eight.
Each of them spent some time alone with Ella before they said their goodbyes.
Anna said: “She had to be declared brain dead by two doctors.
“We asked to be in the room when they had to turn the oxygen off to check ANNA THATCHER ON WHY THEY DECIDED TO DONATE TRAGIC LOSS Anna & Mike and siblings Oliver & Mia she cannot breathe for herself. We were holding her hand. Organ donation was the first thing we thought of when we found out there was nothing we could do. Before they took her away, I was able to lie next to her.
“The nurse was amazing and agreed to hold her hand throughout the surgery.
“When she came back, she looked peaceful. It was all done with so much respect. Ella had severe special needs but she was happy. She was friendly and very affectionate. We still miss her intensely.”
Anna, a principal at a language school, added: “We didn’t want anyone else to feel like we did. Because of Ella, five families don’t have to plan funerals. I would say to any other parents – your loved one isn’t there any more, but you can stop someone else feeling how you are now.
“It will never bring them back, but to know they have saved other lives is a tremendous comfort. The thought of
Ella Thatcher died after a seizure Ella’s parents, Mike and Anna Thatcher
others walking around with a part of Ella is a reminder that she is not forgotten.”
The Organ Donation Bill becomes law today after a three-year Mirror campaign.
It is expected to save hundreds of lives every year. It will be named Max and Kiera’s Law, after heart transplant recipient and Mirror campaigner Max Johnson, 11, and donor Keira Ball, nine.
Because of Ella, five families don’t have to plan funerals