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Matthew and his parents, John and Tracey Chad came to Butterwick House Children's Hospice in 2004 after Matthew had been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He was just a few weeks old.
Mum, Tracey, explains: Matthew, our son, was born on 17th June 2004, he had the most beautiful big blue eyes. Being our first child we may have missed signs of his illness but at just 6 weeks old we had concerns.
He was not lifting his head and his muscle tone wasn't good. We were reassured he was ok but only weeks later we had an emergency appointment with a consultant who diagnosed him with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, those three words had a devastating effect on our lives."
There is currently no treatment for this illness as is sadly the case for many of the children who come to Butterwick House. Sadly, at just 3 months of age, Matthew lost his fight for life.
But during his illness Matthew and his family enjoyed several happy visits to Butterwick House and John and Tracey have returned many times since. With the help and support of Butterwick's skilled staff and the support of other parents there they have been able to create a different life and although they will always miss Matthew they carry him in their hearts every day.
John and Tracey are honoured to have Matthew at the heart of this appeal to help raise £25,000 in total to fund a Registered Sick Children's Nurse at Butterwick House and they urge you to raise funds in memory of their beautiful little son to help Butterwick House continue its vital work, helping life limited children and their families across Teesside, County Durham, North Yorkshire and Wearside.
Tracey explains: "Until you actually visit a children's hospice you don't really know what to expect but you do have preconceived ideas which, when faced with the truth, are actually wrong.
I suppose you expect to find a place of adness and weariness but what you do find is a place of joy and laughter run by staff who truly care, trying to make the last days, months, years, as memorable as they can.
When we think of Matthew, it comforts us to know he enjoyed his last few days. He experienced swimming in the Hospice's warm pool. In the sensory room his eyes would widen with excitement at the bright lights. The Butterwick House Children's Hospice became our haven our second home."
More than six years on John and Tracey know they and their family are always welcome at Butterwick House and that the staff their are always ready to listen and support them.
Through Matthew's Memory Appeal we hope to help to fund the vital services that are there to support families like Matthew's every day. Please do what ever you can, give what ever you can and help us to leave Matthew's mark on the world by supporting this appeal.
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