Fete is inspired by girl’s kidney battle

STUART PIKE

AMUM is organising a village fete to raise money for Kidney Research after her daughter was born with a kidney problem.

When Leanne Hudson had her 20-week scan in 2015, doctors realised baby Jennifer’s kidneys were dilated.

As a result, Jennifer, who will be two in September, was prone to urine infections and after birth she was immediately put on antibiotics.

Leanne, who found out she was expecting just two days after the family moved to Weir, said: “When they realised there was a problem, I was referred to St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester and they confirmed that Jennifer had a condition called duplex kidneys, which meant she had two ● Leanne and Alex Hudson with Jennifer and Jack ureters draining from each kidney instead of one.”

Further complications left her with kidney disease and at five weeks she had urosepsis and became resistant to the antibiotics. More of her first year of life was spent in hospital and at 13 months Jennifer had a sixhour operation to remove part of one of her kidneys and the additional ureter.

Leanne, 33, said: “Her urologist brought forward her operation.

“They were planning to do both kidneys at the same time but it was more difficult and she ended up with post-operative complications, so was back in hospital.”

Last November, Jennifer’s other kidney was operated on.

Her mum is now raising money for Kidney Research by holding a fete in Weir, in association with community group Weir Pride.

The traditional village fete will be held on Weir Park on Sunday, July 23 from 12noon with stalls, dancers, inflatables and fun children’s races.

Leanne said: “Kidney Research is looking at ways to extend the life of transplants for patients.

“I hope that we are never going to get to the stage of Jennifer needing a transplant, but the money raised will pay for further research that might just lead to a breakthrough and that would help adults as well as children.”

Leanne and husband Alex also have a son Jack, five. Alex works in IT for Synapse 360 which has sponsored tickets for the War Horse at the Lowry, the star prize in a raffle.

Leanne added: “We have got cheerleaders from Fusion opening the event, dancers from Dansworks performing and Francesca di Michele will be singing.

“I set a fundraising target of £500 and that has already been surpassed because I have had a lot of support from family and friends.” ● Tony Swain and Lucie Terry with 22 friends and family during their National Three Peaks trek