Family’s charity ball in memory of Jasmine
The family of a little Sunderland girl who won Jermain Defoe’s heart with her adorable smile are getting set to hold a charity ball in her memory.
Jasmine Purvis tragically died aged just two in October last year after battling a heart defect known as a pulmonary hypertension.
The courageous little girl, from Canon Cockin Street, was born with Down’s syndrome and the heart defect, which meant the right side of the organ had stopped working.
But despite her health troubles, she never stopped smiling.
During her last months, her family made it their mission to grant her last wishes, which included raising thousands of pounds under the name “Jasmine’s Hearts” for the Children’s Heart Unit (Chuf ) at the Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital which cared for her in the past.
Now grandad Colin Hope, 37, has organised a charity ball called Jasmine’s Hearts Summer Ball to take place on Saturday, August 5, at The Point in Sunderland.
The event aims to raise funds for Sara’s Hope Foundation, which provides a villa in Crete for terminally-ill children and their families.
Mr Hope said: “So far we have managed to raise about £6,000 for the Chuf in Jasmine’s name and we are still looking to set up our own charity in her name.”
The event, which will kick off at 7pm, will feature a buffet and entertainment from the likes of teenage songstress Jacee Pink and duo The Up Highs.
In her short life, Jasmine put up a brave fight with her condition, undergoing major heart surgery at just five months old.
But she sadly took a turn for the worst a year later, in November 2015, when she became poorly again.
She was transported to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, where she was diagnosed with the condition.
Her mum Jamie Harvey and dad Chris Purvis – who are also parents to Jessie Robins, six, and Jodie Robins, nine – were then given the devastating news that doctors at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital couldn’t do anything more.
The family set about making her final wishes come true which included meeting Jermain Defoe and the rest of the Sunderland team.
The former Sunderland striker and the club sent flowers in Sunderland AFC colours when she sadly died.
Tickets are now available for £10 each of £70 for a table of £10. Call Colin on 07599862300 or message him directly on Facebook.
“We are still looking to set up our own charity in her name” COLIN HOPE