Cash plea for hospice that ‘helped our family to heal’

RAINBOWS HAS BEEN THERE FOR SO MANY – BUT IS NOW BATTLNG A FINANCIAL CRISIS

SIBLINGS HELPED BY RAINBOWS: Shiyam Zainab died, aged seven, in 2012 due to T-cell lymphoma, while her brother, Moosa, 11, has a congenital heart condition

through the dark time and helped us to heal as a family.”

After Zainab’s tragic death, Fathima, husband Mohamed and the couple’s five remaining children - Madeeh, 13, Moosa, Hamdhy, 10, Zain, six, and one-year-old Maya - didn’t expect to need Rainbows again.

That changed, however, in 2018 when Moosa suffered two serious heart attacks within weeks of each other.

He is now seriously ill with heart failure, but is too ill for the transplant he desperately needs.

Moosa spent five weeks in Glenfield Hospital before he was moved to Rainbows, where he spent a further five weeks.

“That is when we were told Moosa’s heart was failing,” said Fathima. “But he can’t go on the transplant list because it is too risky.

“When he was in hospital, he couldn’t even move. But at Rainbows, he started physiotherapy and he is now at the stage where he can walk.

“Once again, Rainbows really helped us out. It is such a special place for us all. Moosa loves it and I really enjoy staying there as well.

“The doctors tell us he is a miracle as he just keeps on fighting.”

Fathima is urging people to support Rainbows’ fund-raising appeal, needed to offset what it has described as a “huge dent” in its income since lockdown was introduced in March.

“We are so dedicated to help Rainbows continue their work with the many other families like ours,” said Fathima. “We would never have got through any of it without them.”

■ To donate to the Rainbows appeal, call 01509 638049 or visit the website: