Mum’s running to thank hospital for saving life of ‘miracle’ baby Mary-anne
TOT NEEDED COMPLEX SURGERY WHEN SHE WAS JUST DAYS OLD
A MUM is raising thousands for the hospital which saved the life of her newborn baby girl.
Just a few days after she was delivered into the world, in September last year, Mary-anne Kirby underwent a five-and-a-half operation at Nottingham Children’s Hospital at Queen’s Medical Centre.
Mary-anne had been diagnosed as having “non-rotation” of the bowels, which required a complex procedure in which surgeons repaired her blocked bowels back.
The youngster is now thriving since the procedure took place.
Her mum Colette Kirby, 35, is running in tomorrow’s Robin Hood Half Marathon in a bid to raise £5,000 for Nottingham Children’s Hospital.
Mrs Kirby, a mum-of-five, of Rose Grove, Beeston Rylands, said: “You literally can’t put a price on what they have given to us.
“They probably saved us all - this could have been very different.
“They did not just save her, they saved my whole family really.
“I just want to give back as much as I can.”
Mrs Kirby previously explained she knew something was wrong when her youngest daughter started being sick.
Mary-anne underwent what’s known as the Ladd’s procedure.
The youngster did have a blip earlier this year which required a stay in hospital - but she is doing well since being discharged.
“She did end up in hospital as a couple of months before she had a respiratory virus,” Mrs Kirby said.
“Then she got a blocked bowel as well, but the blocked bowel was managed by medication alone. That was positive.
“We always knew that could happen... she has a life-long risk of bowel obstruction.”
Mary-ann also contracted norovirus while in hospital, mum said.
But since then, Mrs Kirby said: “She is piling on the weight and. like I say, she does not just walk, she runs.
“She says ‘mum and dad’ and ‘hiya,’ she waves - she is a very advanced one-year-old. She is a miracle. Nothing gets her down for long.”
Further tests to see if she has Hirschsprung disease and cystic fibrosis have both come back negative. “Because she is hitting her milestones, and in advance as well, no-one is really concerned about other conditions anyway,” said Mrs Kirby.
“It looks like she might have just got away with that bowel condition.” Mrs Kirby is running the half marathon with her friend Victoria Whitmill.
It will be their first race of this kind and they’re fundraising for the Nottingham Hospitals Charity, the pair having asked for the money to go to the Children’s Hospital. Almost £2,500 has been raised for far and they hope to double that total. Money can be donated to a fundraising page in support of the cause at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/theressomethingaboutmaryanne. A family fun day has been arranged after the race at the Jolly Anglers pub, in Beeston Rylands, where Mrs Kirby works as a barmaid. The event at the pub starts from 2pm tomorrow and a number of events will take place including a raffle.
Speaking previously, Charlotte Marriott, fundraiser at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re so touched that Colette has chosen to fundraise for Nottingham Children’s Hospital, to thank them for their care of Mary-anne, after what has been an extremely tough time for the Kirby family. The money Colette raises will make a huge difference to other families who are going through a difficult time.”
She says ‘mum and dad’ and ‘hiya’, she waves - she is a very advanced one-yearold. Colette Kirby