Trust donates life saving equipment to Countess of Chester Hospital

The parents of a child who died suddenly more than a year ago have raised £17,000 to purchase vital life saving respiratory equipment for the children’s ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Sara and John Sowden set up the Emily Ffion Trust following the death of their baby daughter in November 2013, aged 21 months.

The trust supports suddenly bereaved families through the unexpected loss of a child and is keen to fund the treatment of bronchiolitis, a respiratory condition which mainly effects children under two years during the winter.

The virus causes inflammation and mucous to build up in the small airways (bronchioles) and for the great majority of young children they will get cold like symptoms but can manage the condition. Unfortunately for some infants and young children, especially for those with additional health needs such as prematurity, cardiac or ongoing respiratory problems, the risks are greatly increased and for some sadly intervention and treatment is not successful.

The money donated has been used to purchase an OPTIFLOW system, a CPAP system and a Baxter Colleague triple channel infusion pump for use on the ward.

Community and events fundraiser at the Countess of Chester Hospital Angie Lopez, said: “The equipment purchased from the kind donation made by the Emily Ffion Trust will greatly support the staff in caring for these infants.”

Trustee at the Emily Ffion Trust and auntie of Emily, Nia Brammer, said: “We were more than happy to support the COCH and purchase the vital pieces of bronchiolitis equipment. We hope they ease the pressures of dealing with the children admitted with bronchiolitis as well as the newborn babies requiring the machines too.

“We could not have purchased the equipment without the generosity of the community and supporters and fundraisers of the Emily Ffion Trust.”

The trust has a full calendar of fundraising events planned this year, including climbing Mont Blanc in June. If you would like to support them please visit: www.justgiving.com/EmilyFfion-Mont-Blanc2015 or follow @emilyffiontrust on Twitter.