Mum takes action in thanks for Josh’s life
AMUM whose baby was born three months premature and then had to battle a life-threatening illness is raising money for a children’s charity.
Janey Bryant, 40, from the Ivymeade area of Macclesfield, gave birth to son Joshua at 27 weeks.
Then when he was fiveweeks-old he contracted necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), a potentially fatal bowel infection, and was rushed into intensive care to be put on a life-support machine.
Joshua managed to survive with the help of urgent medical attention and today he is a happy, healthy 18-month-old.
Now Janey is raising money for charity Action Medical Research as a thank you for the care Joshua received.
This week she tackled the Race the Sun challenge - which is a 80km bike ride, hike to the top of Helvellyn and a three km canoe in the Lake District.
Janey, who works as an underwriter, said: “Joshua was born three months early at just 27 weeks. He was so tiny, it was terrifying.
“The worst part was not even being able to hold him. Contracting NEC was terrible. He was put back on a ventilator and rushed back into intensive care.
“With the help of life support machines and amazing medical care Joshua made it.
“Sadly though there are babies who are not as lucky.
“Families and mothers who are grieving the loss of babies and little children. And that’s why I want to help raise funds.”
Janey took on the challenge on Saturday, August 31.
She joined members of the Ice Maidens - the British Army members who became the first female team to cross the Antarctic on foot in 2017 - to do so.
Among them was Major Sandy Hennis, who is the partner of Janey’s brother, and altogether they are aiming to raise £1,500.
In preparation for the challenge she has spent most weekends out on her bike or trekking up Shutlingsloe.
Janey said: “When Sandy asked me to join them for this fundraiser I said yes straight away. I hadn’t even seen what the challenge actually was.”
Action Medical Research is currently funding research into areas including premature birth, epilepsy, asthma, scarlet fever, cerebral palsy and brain cancer.