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We are Bhavna (Debbie) and Mandy, Zahra's grandma and great-aunt.

We decided to join the Night to Remember walk organised by Chestnut Tree Hospice. This women-only midnight walk takes place on Saturday 14th May 2016. We will take part in the 4 mile option around the Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne. If you'd like to know more about the event, cheer us on or even join us, you can find more information about the event here: 

http://www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/events/night-to-remember/ 

Zahra was born prematurely and had a Group Strep B infection developing into Meningitis in the first week of her life. She was left with catastrophic brain damage and it was highly likely that she wouldn’t be able to ever breathe unsupported, feed, see, hear or walk let alone sit up by herself. Her parents were asked if they would remove her from life support - which they did. Zahra, like most children, decided to do things her own way and she amazingly continued to breathe unaided.

From then on Zahra kept an extraordinary amount of health professionals very busy and on their toes. She had regular physio, a team of about five consultants, the Demelza home care team, the nurses from our two local children’s hospices. Zahra also kept the local pharmacy pretty occupied and all this was accomplished when she was out of hospital.

Zahra spent half her life in hospital – but in her spare time she liked to keep her mother busy too (by making her learn all sorts of complicated names for all the health problems that Zahra had). Hypothyroidism, Diabetes insipidus, Epilepsy, Panhypopituitarism, Vesicoureteral reflux just to name a few.

A year and a week after removing Zahra off the ventilator, she passed away in her parents arms. When Zahra died, her hospital files were heavier than she was.

Zahra's greatest achievement was to bring people from all walks of life together to help her. We have decided to take part in this midnight walk to raise funds for the hospice which did so much for Zahra and her family. 

Vicki, Zahra's mother, has created a website (inspiredbyzahra.com), which is about all the people who cherished and helped Zahra, how she has changed us, how she has inspired us. Please visit this website if you are interested in learning more about Zahra and the charities which supported her. 

Thank you.