Couple hoping son's memory will live on through fundraising (From Warrington Guardian)

Couple hoping son's memory will live on through fundraising

8:00am Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News

A COUPLE are hoping the memory of their son, who died aged eight days old, will live on through fundraising for the hospitals that cared for him.

Tiny tot Theo Harry James Randle had only been given a five per cent chance of making it beyond 18 weeks and was diagnosed with rare genetic condition Edwards syndrome.

Parents Lysa and James Randle, from Newton, have so far raised more than £5,000 since Theo died in August for Ronald McDonald House (RMH) at Alder Hey, their intensive care unit and Warrington Hospital neonatal unit in his memory.

The 39-year-old mum hopes to further add to that on Sunday, February 10, when Winwick Primary School, Myddleton Lane, hosts ‘Theo's vintage tea party’ to help more families staying in RMH.

Mum-of-four Lysa, who is a governor at the school, said: “Theo really battled to be here during a difficult pregnancy and then was only with us for eight days.

“Our world fell apart when we found out he was not going to make it.

“But we feel blessed that we had a couple of precious moments when he opened his eyes and looked at us all.

“After the support we got from both hospitals and RMH, we wanted to make sure Theo left a legacy and started the fundraising about two weeks after he passed away.”

Lysa, who buried Theo at Winwick Church, said she wanted to spread the word of how important RMH is to many families in the area.

She added: “It took away the stress of being away from your child at a time when they need you most and made it possible for us to remain as a family close by to Theo.

“The nurses work around the clock so we asked them what they wanted to create a nurses’ wish list which includes simple things like comfy chairs.

“I feel we can achieve a lot for them in Theo's memory and that will mean a lot.”

The event includes vintage stalls, raffle and traditional afternoon tea being served while female vocalist harmony trio The Nylon Hearts performs.

Visit justgiving.com/remember/31433/TheoHarryJames-Randle