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Leo gives up presents to thank dad's doctors
By Aasma Day
Health Reporter
aasma.day@lep.co.uk
ASK most six-year-old boys what they want for their birthday and they will eagerly request the latest computer console game or Ben 10 toy.
But kindhearted Leo Dearden sacrificed the chance of boosting his toy collection and instead asked for birthday money so he could donate to a hospital appeal.
And it was not just generosity that spurred Leo on to make the gesture, but gratitude for the treatment his dad received after being struck by a brain tumour.
Dad Andrew, 41, who lives in Chorley, became ill and started suffering from sickness about five years ago.
Wife Pamela said: “Andrew just wasn’t himself for a good year, but you couldn’t really put your finger on what it was.
“But after he had several vomiting episodes in the space of a few days we went to A&E at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.
“Doctors carried out tests and discovered Andrew had a brain tumour the size of a satsuma.”
Andrew underwent surgery at the Royal Preston Hospital followed by radiotherapy at the Rosemere Cancer Centre.
Since then Andrew, who is also dad to Lewis, 12, and daughters Antonia, 10, and Elizabeth, three, has had a number of operations and is now doing very well.
It was while Leo was attending a hospital appointment with his dad that he spotted an incubator with money in it and asked what it was for.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals’ Incubator Appeal raises money to buy items for improvements which benefit patients and visitors.
Itcollects donations of loose change, old money and foreign currency using adapted incubators at the main entrances of both the Royal Preston and Chorley and South Ribble hospitals.
Pamela said: “When Andrew was ill, Leo was only one and it turned his world upside down.
“He knows the hospital made his daddy better, so when he realised what the Incubator Appeal was for, he asked for money instead of presents at his birthday party. He had his party at Playmates play centre in Coppull and his friends were very generous and he managed to get 100.
“Leo kept half for himself and donated the other 50 to the Incubator Appeal.
“It was his way of saying thank you for the care and treatment his dad received.
“We are very proud of him, as it was a nice thing to do and a good idea, as children don’t need lots of presents on their birthday.”
Andrew, who used to be a graphic designer and is now re-training to do hypnotherapy, said: “Leo has become aware of hospitals at an earlier age than most children.
“When he heard about this appeal, he wanted to do something to help other children through his birthday.”
Viv Culshaw, patient governor and founder of the Incubator Appeal at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted with this donation and it is encouraging to see young people getting involved and contributing to improvements for the benefit of patients and visitors across the trust.”
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Weather for Preston
Tuesday 07 February 2012
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